Tests and numerical analyses on free vibration of Ti-C fiber metal laminates

In order to investigate the manufacture and free vibration of Ti-C fiber metal laminates (FMLs) which were prepared by alternated stacking arrangements of titanium alloy and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, the free vibration of Ti-C FMLs with different sizes were 2D finite element modeled and calculated using finite element analyses software MSC.PATRAN/NASTRAN firstly, and the influences of size effect on natural frequencies of FMLs were studied. Then, electromagnetic vibration exciter and non-contact laser scanner were used to conduct the free vibration tests, and the numerical simulated results were compared the testing results. Finally, the natural frequencies of pure carbon fiber composite laminates and Ti-C FMLs with different number of layers for titanium alloy laminates with the same size were calculated, and the effects of number of layers for titanium alloy laminates on natural frequencies of FMLs were investigated. The results show that the smaller the specimen size is, the bigger the calculation error of natural frequency is, namely, when the multiple of in-plane size to thickness of structure is relatively small, the calculation error of model is large. Over all, the numerical simulated results coincide with testing results preferably, and the finite element model is valid. The natural frequencies of FMLs decrease with the increase for number of layers for titanium alloy laminates. The conclusions obtained can provide reference to improve the design ability for free vibration of Ti-C FMLs.