Effect of 2024-T3 Aluminum Face Sheet Thickness on Impact-Induced Damage and Sandwich Behavior of GLARE Laminates
Damage mechanisms; Energy absorption; GLARE laminates; Low-velocity impact; Peak load
Glass Laminate Aluminum Reinforced Epoxy (GLARE) composites are widely employed in impact-critical aerospace and automotive structures due to their superior damage tolerance and energy absorption capability. In this study, the influence of Al 2024-T3 aluminum face-sheet thickness on the low-velocity impact (LVI) response and damage evolution of GLARE laminates was experimentally investigated. Laminates with a constant total thickness of 2mm were fabricated using a hybrid hand lay-up and compression molding process, while the aluminum face-sheet thickness was varied between 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4mm. LVI tests were conducted according to ASTM D7136 at a constant impact energy of 19.26J using a 3.926kg impactor. Complementary tensile and flexural tests were performed to support the interpretation of impact behavior. The results show that face-sheet thickness significantly affects peak load, displacement, and energy absorption mechanisms. Laminates with a 0.3mm aluminum face sheet exhibited the highest peak load and reduced displacement, indicating improved stiffness and resistance to impact-induced damage, while thinner and thicker face sheets showed higher energy absorption due to increased deformation and interlaminar damage. Scanning electron microscopy and EDAX analyses revealed that optimized face-sheet thickness promotes uniform stress transfer, delayed delamination, and controlled plastic deformation of aluminum layers. The study demonstrates that an intermediate aluminum face-sheet thickness provides an optimal balance between stiffness and energy dissipation, offering valuable design insights for GLARE laminates used in impact-sensitive lightweight structures. The Institution of Engineers (India) 2026.
Kumar, M. Harish; Thomas, Shijo; Sachit, T.S.; Suresh, R.; Mathivanan, N. Rajesh
Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D;
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-026-01001-4 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030844732?origin=resultslist
Kumar M.H., Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India; Thomas S., Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India; Sachit T.S., Department of Mechanical Engineering, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, 560058, India; Suresh R., Department of Mechanical Engineering, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, 560058, India; Mathivanan N.R., Department of Mechanical Engineering, PES University, Bangalore, India