Mechanical behaviour of laminated metal composites

Laminated metal composites (LMCs) are a unique form of composite material in which alternating metal or metal containing layers are bonded together with discrete interfaces. The mechanical properties of these materials are reviewed. The tensile properties at low and high temperatures are described. At low temperature, very high tensile strengths can be achieved in deposition processed laminates and very high tensile ductilities can be achieved in roll bonded laminates by layer thickness refinement. At high temperature, superplasticity has been observed and agrees with predictions from constitutive creep relations. Damage critical properties (such as fracture toughness, fatigue, and impact behaviour) and damping can be superior to those exhibited by the component materials. The damage critical properties are strongly influenced by local delaminations at layer interfaces. Mechanisms responsible for many of the unique properties of LMCs have been proposed. The influence of processing, laminate architecture, and microstructure on these mechanisms and properties are described.