Low‐Velocity Impact Behavior of 5052‐ H32 Aluminum‐Based Fiber Metal Laminates; Effects of Impact Energy, Fiber Type, and NaCl Exposure

This study investigates the low‐velocity impact behavior of 5052‐H32 aluminum‐based fiber metal laminates (FMLs) under varying impact energies, fiber types, and short‐term NaCl exposure. A full‐factorial experimental design was employed using three FML configurations (GLARE, BARAL, and HGBAL), three impact energies, and two exposure conditions. Drop‐weight impact tests were conducted, and the responses were evaluated using force–time, force–displacement, and energy–time curves, together with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Increasing impact energy increased peak force, permanent displacement, and final absorbed energy for all laminates. The increase in permanent deformation indicates greater irreversible deformation at higher impact energies; however, the three energy levels do not allow a specific transition threshold to be established. GLARE generally exhibited a relatively stiffer initial response and lower permanent deformation, whereas BARAL and HGBAL showed greater permanent deformation at higher impact energies. Short‐term NaCl exposure changed peak force and deformation behavior, while final absorbed energy and energy absorption efficiency remained close to those of unexposed laminates. ANOVA showed that impact energy was the dominant factor affecting peak force ( p < 0.001), while the fiber type and NaCl exposure interaction was also statistically significant ( p = 0.004).