A Comparison of Ply-Level and Sublaminate-Level Scaling Offibre-Metallaminates with In-Plane Dimensions

The work presented in this paper investigates size effects in 2D-scaled (in-plane dimensions) FMLs based on a self-reinforcing polypropylene composite and aluminum. Two different scaling approaches are adopted in this study, these being ply-level scaling using laminates with a stacking sequence of [Al n , 0°/90° n ] s and sublaminate-level scaling involving a stacking sequence of [Al, 0°/90°] ns where n =¼, ½, ¾ and 1, representing the increase of in-plane dimensions. An apparent increase in strength for ply-level specimens was observed with scale size while sublaminate-level scaling did not present scaling effects.