Abstract: Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) are a family of hybrid materials consisting of alternating thin coatings of aluminum alloy and fiber-reinforced epoxy layers. In contrast to aluminum alloys， the presence of notches in FMLs causes significant strength reduction. To evaluate the residual strength of fiber metal laminates with circular open hole， mechanical testing was performed to determine the un-notched tensile properties and notched strength of FMLs. The influence of ply structure on residual strength of FMLs was investigated. The stress failure model was introduced to predict the residual strength of FMLs with an open hole. Failure modes， damage initiation and progression of notched FMLs were also characterized and discussed. The results show that the presence of a hole in GLARE3 laminates gives a strength reduction about 40%. It can be seen that the characteristic length increase and notch sensitivity tends to decrease with the increase of ply number. The damage initiated at the hole edge when the residual strength is 90%.

Key words: fiber metal laminates, residual strength, stress failure model, damage mechanism, glass fiber