Determination of damage mechanisms and damage evolution in fiber metal laminates containing friction stir welded thin foils

Synchrotron tomography was carried out during in-situ tensile tests of fiber metal laminates formed by 3 layers of friction stir welded AlMg4.5Sc0.2 (AA5024) alloy foils and 2 layers of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The aim of these investigations was to identify the damage mechanisms and their sequence during quasi-static loading conditions of the fiber metal laminate as well as to determine microstructural features responsible for tensile damage. The microstructural and geometric changes produced by the friction stir welding process on the aluminum foils resulted in a strain localization and further damage accumulation in the welded aluminum foils, where the smallest transverse areas and lowest tensile properties were found.