Production and investigation of mechanical properties of fiberglass reinforced aluminum composite panels

Aluminum composite panels are widely used across various industries due to their lightweight nature, high strength, and aesthetic appearance. These industries include construction for exterior cladding, advertising and signage applications, the automotive industry for exterior panels and interior claddings, and the aerospace sector for aircraft fuselages and interior claddings. In the automotive industry, particularly, their usage is increasing daily as they reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and performance. Although the panels have relatively good strength, their surfaces are susceptible to scratches and impacts. Therefore, this study aims to improve the mechanical properties of aluminum composites by reinforcing them with fiberglass. In this study, ready-made panels with a total thickness of 4 mm, with both surfaces coated with 0.25 mm thick aluminum, were used. Both surfaces of the panels were covered with fiberglass fabrics of 100 g/m² and 300 g/m². The production methods included hand lay-up and press molding techniques. After the production was completed, the panels were precisely cut into standard dimensions. The test specimens were subjected to impact, three-point bending, and tensile tests. To test their maximum strengths in the impact tests, each specimen was tested at different energy levels. Uncoated panels were tested at 20-40-60 J, specimens coated with 100 g/m² fiberglass at 35-50-65 J, and those coated with 300 g/m² fabric at 70-100-130 J. In the impact tests, rebound was observed at the first energy level, penetration at the second, and perforation at the third energy level. The impact tests revealed that increasing the fiberglass density enhances the impact resistance of the material.