A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, October 2017 / This research looks into the manufacturing process of complex geometries using continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP). The purpose of this work was to develop methods that will enable the production of defect free complex components. This was achieved by investigating the key process parameters in the CFRTP manufacturing process, and optimizing them in order to improve the quality of components. The investi- gations were performed with the aid of software making use of the finite element method, and this was found to be instrumental in predicting the formability of geometries. The re- search showed that the formability of complex geometry is largely determined by the ability of the laminate to be draped into the required geometry. The forming mechanisms that take place during the draping process can be linked to the formation of defects where draping is unsuccessful. The study also showed that the quality of the drape can be influenced by blank and tool design factors. It was also shown that the blank can be manipulated using a restraint mechanism to improve the formability of geometries. The effect of processing parameters such as forming speed, forming pressure and tool temperature were also investigated. The research resulted in the formulation of guidelines to follow when manufacturing CFRTP components. The developments that were made were successfully implemented to improve the formability of a complex component that had previously been difficult to form without defects. / MT2018

Thermoplastic composites that have been reinforced by thermotropic liquid crystalline (TLCP) fibrils in the microscale and by nanoparticles in the nanoscale are defined as multi-scale wholly thermoplastic composites (WTCs). Multi-scale WTCs have been proposed as lightweight replacements with high performance for some traditional glass fiber (GF) and carbon fiber (CF) reinforced composites materials in various applications. TLCPs are known for performing mechanical properties similar to those of the lower end of CF but significantly better than those of GF. To enhance the mechanical properties of TLPC reinforced WTCs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered being used as a secondary enhancement in WTCs. CNTs have gathered significant interest in the last 30 years because of their high aspect ratio, high mechanical properties, and other high-performance properties. The focus of this work is on investigating the processing conditions of generating in situ injection-molded multi-scale WTCs, then extending the technology to dual-extrusion and fused filament fabrication (FFF) and obtain high-performance multi-scale WTC products. This dissertation initially focused on investigating the processing conditions, in particular mixing histories and processing temperature profiles, of generating in situ injection-molded multi-scale WTCs, which consist of a representative TLCP, scCO2 aided exfoliated CNTs, and the thermoplastic matrix polyamide 6 (PA 6). The supercooling behavior of the TLCP and thermal stability of PA 6 are studied by applying the rheological methods of small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS). Multiple mixing histories with CNTs and processing temperature profiles are analyzed based on the criterion of maximizing tensile properties of multi-scale WTCs and minimizing thermal degradation of the matrix. Under the optimum processing conditions, the in situ injection-molded multi-scale WTCs exhibit a 26% and 34% tensile modulus and strength enhancement, compared to the in situ injection-molded WTCs with no CNTs. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images were used to understand the enhancement. The second part of this work is to extend the scCO2 aided in situ multi-scale WTCs processing technology to dual-extrusion and FFF. Multi-scale WTC filaments, which consists of TLCP, CNTs, and polyamide copolymer (PAc), are generated by dual-extrusion, and 3D printed into rectangular specimens in FFF. The 1 wt% CNTs reinforced multi-scale WTC filaments generated by the means of dual-extrusion exhibit 225% and 80% improvement in tensile modulus and strength, respectively, compared to the WTC filaments with no CNTs. In FFF, 40 wt% TLCP/1 wt% CNT/PAc 3D printed specimens with filament laid in longitudinal direction exhibited excellent tensile modulus and strength of 38.92 GPa and 127.16 MPa, respectively. The well-dispersed exfoliated CNTs show high alignment with TLCP microfibrils in the multi-scale WTC filaments and their laid-down specimens, which causes the significant tensile modulus enhancement. Bridging elements are discovered between TLCP fibrils and PAc matrix to improve interfacial adhesion, which is attributed to the well-dispersed exfoliated CNTs. Finally, the significant improvements in tensile properties attributed to scCO2 aided exfoliated CNTs in WTCs are verified on the multi-scale WTCs based on polypropylene (PP). Moreover, additional tensile properties improvements for exfoliated CNTs reinforced multi-scale WTCs are obtained with the use of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP). With 1 wt% CNTs and 16 wt% MAPP dual reinforcement, 20 wt% TLCP reinforced WTCs based on polypropylene (PP) exhibit 265%, 274%, and 182% improvement in the tensile modulus of the filaments, laid up specimens in the concentric pattern and laid up specimens in ±45° rectilinear pattern, respectively. The dual reinforcement also improves the tensile strength of 20 wt% TLCP reinforced WTC filaments by up to 73%. The high alignment between TLCP fibrils and CNTs are confirmed in the multi-scale WTCs based on PP. Besides the bridging elements attributed to CNTs found in the second part of this work, SEM images show that CNTs are partially trapped in TLCP fibrils. / Doctor of Philosophy / Considering the need for environmentally friendly materials, novel thermoplastic composites with high mechanical performance, lightweight, and potentially high recyclability properties were generated in this work. Two types of thermoplastic matrices, polyamide (PA or nylon) and polypropylene (PP) were reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and rigid chain polymers known as thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs). CNTs are known for their high mechanical properties and high aspect ratio, which are helpful to reinforce thermoplastic composite materials. During injection molding and the dual-extrusion processes, TLCPs deform into almost continuous microfibrils and reinforce the thermoplastic matrices. Instead of using traditional glass fibers or carbon fibers to reinforce thermoplastics, TLCP reinforced thermoplastic composites, which are defined as wholly thermoplastic composites (WTCs), can retain their mechanical properties during the recycling process such as in injection molding and have better performance during the lay-down process in fused filament fabrication. The goal of this work was to generate CNTs reinforced WTCs for use in injection molding and fused filament fabrication with high mechanical performance. In the injection molding process for generating CNTs reinforced WTC end-gated plaques, it was determined that the optimum thermal mixing histories for the CNTs could be identified by the inspections of the tensile property measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With the obtained optimum thermal mixing histories with CNTs, CNTs reinforced WTC filaments were generated by dual extrusion technology and used in fused filament fabrication. With 1 wt% addition of CNTs, the tensile properties of WTCs were significantly enhanced in both the filament materials and the laid-down parts. Especially, the CNT reinforced WTC filaments based on nylon matrices exhibited competitive tensile moduli to long carbon fiber reinforced nylon composite filaments, which was also competitive to the properties of aluminum alloys. In addition, the laid-down parts of CNTs reinforced WTC based on PP presented further tensile strength improvement due to the improved interfacial adhesion between the laid-down filaments and between layers, which was attributed to the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene.

L’introduction des matériaux composites à matrices thermoplastiques est étudiée depuis quelques années par les avionneurs. Les procédés actuellement investigués, soit par placement de mèches pré-imprégnées, soit par thermo-estampage de plaques préconsolidées, sont toutefois mal adaptés pour des pièces de forme complexe telles que des capotages, des volutes ou des entrées d’air. Pour s’affranchir de cette limitation, cette thèse vise à étudier une voie d’élaboration basée sur la mise en forme de textiles qui intègre par voie comélage/cotissage les renforts de carbone et les fils de thermoplastique. Le tout est suivi d’une consolidation en autoclave. Le projet de recherche comprend deux parties distinctes et complémentaires. La première partie est dédiée à l’étude de la mise en forme textile avant consolidation. La déformabilité en cisaillement des préformes textiles comélés a été caractérisée sur la base d’un essai « Bias Extension Test » instrumenté avec un dispositif optique pour mesurer les champs de déformation par corrélation d’images (2D-DIC). La mise en forme de la préforme textile sur des éprouvettes technologiques possédant une géométrie complexe de type double courbure a été effectuée à partir d’un pilote d’emboutissage. Une instrumentation optique a permis d’évaluer les champs de déformation en cisaillement (3D-DIC). La deuxième partie est consacrée à l’étude et à l’optimisation des conditions de consolidation en autoclave, des cycles de consolidation et l’étude de leur influence sur les performances mécaniques et la santé matière du matériau. Les relations matériau/procédé sont établies à partir de deux semi-produits FC/PPS : le Pipreg ® poudré de Porcher et le TPLF ® comélé avec fibres craquées de Schappe Techniques. Les résultats de ces deux thématiques ont permis la mise en oeuvre de pièces de faisabilité à double courbure aux propriétés microstructurales compatibles aux exigences aéronautiques pour des structures semi-structurelles. Une optimisation de la mesure de champ par stéréo- corrélation d’images et la prise en compte du comportement en tension et en flexion du renfort permettraient d’améliorer l’analyse des champs de déformation lors des essais de drapage. L’amélioration du cycle de consolidation et une sélection de produits d’environnement plus performants sont également des thématiques à explorer. / Thermoplastic resin composites have been studied for some years by aircraft manufacturer. Current processes studied concerning either prepreg bundle positioning or thermo-stamping of pre-consolidated laminates are not adapted for complex shape as air inlets. To overcome this limitation, this thesis investigates a method based on the manufacturing of fabrics made in commingled/co-woven yarns of carbon and thermoplastic fibres. Then fabrics are consolidated in autoclave. This research project has been divided into two distinct parts. The first part concerns textile shaping study before consolidation. Shear strains of textile preforms have been caracterized by « Bias Extension Test » instrumented with optical device to measure strain field by digital image correlation (2D-DIC ). Textile preform shaping on a double curvature technology test specimen was performed with stamping device. It was also intrumented by cameras to assess shear strain field (3D-DIC). The second part is focused on the study and the optimization of autoclave consolidation conditions and process parameters for thermoplastic composite part manufacturing. Process impacts on composite mechanical properties and microstructure are also studied. Material/process interactions assessment was performed with two CF/PPS semi-pregs : Pipreg ® powdered impregnated fabric from Porcher and TPLF ® commingled fabric with stretch-broken carbon fibers from Schappe Techniques. Results from these two research topics allow to manufacture double curvature composite parts with microstructural properties in accordance with aviation requirements for semi-structural parts. The optimisation of field measurements by 3D-DIC and the semi-preg characterisation in tensile and bending should be developed to improve strain field analysis during fabric shaping. Manufacturing process optimisation by the selection of more efficient materials used for vacumm bagging should also be investigated.

Orientador: Edson Cocchieri Botelho / Resumo: A utilização de materiais compósitos continua crescendo na indústria, porém, problemas relacionados a sua reciclabilidade, principalmente quando utilizadas fibras cerâmicas contínuas ainda não foram adequadamente solucionados. A utilização de fibras curtas associadas a fibras contínuas consiste em uma alternativa não só para a redução dos custos mas também para auxiliar na reciclagem de tais materiais. Desta forma, este trabalho apresenta como principal objetivo e inovação o processamento e caracterização de compósitos termoplásticos reforçados simultaneamente com fibras contínuas e curtas, visando dar aplicabilidade estrutural a fibras de carbono recicladas. Neste trabalho foram processadas placas de um compósito termoplástico utilizando PPS como matriz e fibras contínuas e descontínuas de carbono, mantendo uma relação matriz/reforço em 1/1 em volume e a relação entre fibras contínuas e descontínuas também em 1/1 em volume. Desta forma, como fibra contínua foi utilizado um tecido plain weave e como fibras curtas, cabos de 2 e 6 cm de comprimento. Estes compósitos foram processados a partir de moldagem por compressão a quente e caracterizados por ensaios de excitação por impulso, tração, cisalhamento (IOSIPESCU e ILSS), e compressão (CLC). Com o intuito de avaliar a influência da adição das fibras curtas nestes compósitos, após ensaiados, foi realizada uma análise fractográfica. Após a caracterização do material, foi utilizado o método dos elementos finitos. A partir dos resu... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of composite materials continues to grow in the industry, however, problems related to their recyclability, especially when using continuous ceramic fibers have not been adequately solved. The use of chopped fibers alongside continuous fibers is an alternative not only to reducing costs but also to assist in the recycling of such materials. This way, this work presents as main objective and innovation the processing and characterization of thermoplastic laminates reinforced with short and continuous carbon fibers, in order to give structural application for recycling carbon fibers.In this work, plates of a thermoplastic composite were processed using PPS as a matrix and continuous and discontinuous carbon fibers, maintaining a matrix/reinforcement volume ratio of 1/1 and a volume ratio of continuous and discontinuous fibers also of 1/1. Thus, as continuous fiber it was used a plain weave fabric and short fibers of length of 2 to 6 cm. At this moment, an evaluation of the laminates processed by impulse excitation, tensile, shear (IOSIPESCU), compression (CLC) tests is being performed and an evaluation of the fractures will be made by fractographic analysis and the finite element method has been used. From the results found, it is possible to obtain a composite involving continuous and discontinuous fibers with quality, and intermediate mechanical performance those composed only of continuous or discontinuous fibers. Furthermore, from this work, it was observed that the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Les composites à matrice polymère sont de plus en plus utilisés dans le secteur automobile. Afin de remplir les conditions exigeantes du cahier des charges vis-à-vis des conditions de mise en service, les pièces en composite doivent maintenir leur forme géométrique sous des conditions thermo-mécaniques parfois extrêmes. Par exemple, un assemblage de hayon composite est soumis à des contraintes mécaniques élevées associées à des variations de température importantes lors des essais de validation du cahier des charges. Les enjeux de la thèse sont axés sur l’aide à la conception dans le domaine quasi-statique de pièces industrielles injectées en thermoplastique renforcé de fibres discontinues. L’amélioration des outils numériques doit permettre un dimensionnement virtuel optimal de ces pièces en anticipant les variations rencontrées en service et les distorsions résiduelles résultantes de chargements thermo-mécaniques. Cette démarche s’appuie sur la connaissance du comportement thermo-mécanique du matériau de l’étude, celui du renfort de hayon, un polypropylène renforcé à 40% en masse de fibres de verre discontinues, et sur la modélisation du comportement de ce type de matériau. / Discontinuous fibers reinforced thermoplastic materials have been widely used for several years in the automotive industry. These parts must resist demanding service life conditions and must meet thermo- mechanical specifications. Indeed, structural automotive spare parts have to endure high temperatures, like a few tens of degrees Celsius, for a long duration, at least a few hours. As an example, a structural part of tailgate is subject to high mechanical loading, associated to strong temperature variations, during the validation test, regarding specifications. The purpose of this work is to improve the design of complex industrial parts, like the tailgate in quasi-static domain, by relying on numerical simulation. One of the challenges related to the use of such material, is to have a reliable virtual design of industrial parts by predicting the geometrical variations during service life conditions, and residual strain. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize and to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of the tailgate material, a polypropylene matrix reinforced with discontinuous glass fibers, with a given mass fraction of 40%

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No. of bitstreams: 1 guimarães_fa_me_guara.pdf: 10293115 bytes, checksum: cee9e9f4bac6c03985f0bfdf2b1dfe57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A utilização de materiais compósitos continua crescendo na indústria, porém, problemas relacionados a sua reciclabilidade, principalmente quando utilizadas fibras cerâmicas contínuas ainda não foram adequadamente solucionados. A utilização de fibras curtas associadas a fibras contínuas consiste em uma alternativa não só para a redução dos custos mas também para auxiliar na reciclagem de tais materiais. Desta forma, este trabalho apresenta como principal objetivo e inovação o processamento e caracterização de compósitos termoplásticos reforçados simultaneamente com fibras contínuas e curtas, visando dar aplicabilidade estrutural a fibras de carbono recicladas. Neste trabalho foram processadas placas de um compósito termoplástico utilizando PPS como matriz e fibras contínuas e descontínuas de carbono, mantendo uma relação matriz/reforço em 1/1 em volume e a relação entre fibras contínuas e descontínuas também em 1/1 em volume. Desta forma, como fibra contínua foi utilizado um tecido plain weave e como fibras curtas, cabos de 2 e 6 cm de comprimento. Estes compósitos foram processados a partir de moldagem por compressão a quente e caracterizados por ensaios de excitação por impulso, tração, cisalhamento (IOSIPESCU e ILSS), e compressão (CLC). Com o intuito de avaliar a influência da adição das fibras curtas nestes compósitos, após ensaiados, foi realizada uma análise fractográfica. Após a caracterização do material, foi utilizado o método dos elementos finitos. A partir dos resultados encontrados conclui-se que é possível a obtenção de um compósito envolvendo fibras contínuas e descontínuas com qualidade, e desempenho mecânico intermediário aqueles constituídos apenas de fibras contínuas ou descontínuas. Ainda, a partir deste trabalho, foi observado que os modos de falhas para o compósito avaliado neste trabalho são similares àqueles encontrados para compósitos constituídos apenas de reforços contínuos e que os modelos utilizados durante as simulações apresentaram resultados similares aos resultados encontrados experimentalmente / The use of composite materials continues to grow in the industry, however, problems related to their recyclability, especially when using continuous ceramic fibers have not been adequately solved. The use of chopped fibers alongside continuous fibers is an alternative not only to reducing costs but also to assist in the recycling of such materials. This way, this work presents as main objective and innovation the processing and characterization of thermoplastic laminates reinforced with short and continuous carbon fibers, in order to give structural application for recycling carbon fibers.In this work, plates of a thermoplastic composite were processed using PPS as a matrix and continuous and discontinuous carbon fibers, maintaining a matrix/reinforcement volume ratio of 1/1 and a volume ratio of continuous and discontinuous fibers also of 1/1. Thus, as continuous fiber it was used a plain weave fabric and short fibers of length of 2 to 6 cm. At this moment, an evaluation of the laminates processed by impulse excitation, tensile, shear (IOSIPESCU), compression (CLC) tests is being performed and an evaluation of the fractures will be made by fractographic analysis and the finite element method has been used. From the results found, it is possible to obtain a composite involving continuous and discontinuous fibers with quality, and intermediate mechanical performance those composed only of continuous or discontinuous fibers. Furthermore, from this work, it was observed that the failure modes for the composite evaluated in this work are similar to those found for composites processed only with continuous reinforcements and that the models used during the simulations presented results similar to the results found experimentally / CAPES: 1626401

ALes travaux présentés sont une contribution à l’élaboration de composites à matrices thermoplastiques (TP) par un procédé de type Liquid Composite Molding non réactif pour l’industrie automobile. La thèse a été effectuée dans le cadre du projet ANR TAPAS (ThermoplAstic Process for Automotive composite Structure) et s’est focalisée sur la mise en œuvre de plaques composites en renfort continu injectées avec des matrices polyamides 6,6 (PA 6,6) de hautes fluidités par Resin Transfer Molding. Le premier objectif est porté sur l’optimisation des cadences d’injection à travers l’étude de la perméabilité de préformes unidirectionnelles (UD) en fibres de verre et à hauts modules mécaniques. L’architecture de ces UD a ainsi été modifiée de manière à faciliter les écoulements. La perméabilité des différents tissus a pu être évaluée par un couplage entre des mesures expérimentales et une modélisation analytique basée sur un raisonnement à deux échelles de pores : l’écoulement intra et inter-torons. Le deuxième objectif sur lequel les travaux de thèse se sont concentrés s’est reposé sur la maitrise de l’état d’imprégnation par le bais d’une étude complète sur les phénomènes qui se déroulent à l’interface entre la fibre et la matrice à haute température. Plusieurs viscosités et formulations du PA 6,6 ainsi qu’un traitement appliqué sur le verre ont pu être caractérisés et discutés en termes de mouillabilité et d’adhésion. Enfin, la dernière partie du manuscrit présente les résultats obtenus sur les plaques mises en œuvre par RTM-TP en injection in-plane. Les conditions optimales de fonctionnement ainsi que les aspects de saturation, de santé matière et des propriétés mécaniques sont ensuite présentés et discutés. / The present work is a contribution to the thermoplastic composites manufacturing by a non-reactive Liquid Composite Molding process for the automotive industry. The thesis was carried out by the « ANR TAPAS » project (Thermoplastic Process for Automotive Composite Structure) and was focused on the elaboration of continious-fiber reinforced composites plates injected with a high-fluidity polyamide 6,6 (PA 6,6) by the Resin Transfer Molding process. The first goal was focused on increasing injection rates through the study of the in-plane permeability of unidirectional (UD) glass fiber fabrics with high mechanical modulus (HM). Experiments and modelling results showed that the permeability of these UD has been enhanced by modifying specific structural parameters of their architecture. The analytical model developped and used is based on a flow distribution according two differents scales of porosity : in and inter-yarns. The second part of the work was focused on the understanding of phenomenas that take place at the interface created between glass fiber and the matrix during the impregnation step. The wettability and adhesion of molten PA 6,6 dropped on a glass substrate is studied at different processing temperature. The last part introduce the thermoplastic composite plates elaborated by RTM-TP process. The optimum operating conditions as well as preforms saturation and mechanical properties are also studied and discussed.

In vielen Bereichen des Leichtbaus haben sich Bolzen- und Nietverbindungen als zuverlässige und effiziente Verbindungstechniken für Mischbauweisen mit Faserverbunden etabliert. Diese Verbindungen bieten im Zusammenhang mit textilverstärkten Thermoplasten zusätzlich das Potential, die technologiebedingt erforderlichen Löcher durch warmlochformende Verfahren einzubringen. Im Gegensatz zu den klassischen Verfahren der Lochherstellung (z. B. Bohren) werden die lasttragenden Fasern hierbei nicht durchtrennt, sondern vorteilhafterweise seitlich in das Lochnahfeld verschoben. In dieser Arbeit werden die technologischen, experimentellen und theoretischen Voraussetzungen für die systematische Analyse dieser Lochformungstechnologie geschaffen und darauf aufbauend ihr Einsatzpotential für automatisierte Fertigungsprozesse aufgezeigt. / In many areas of lightweight engineering, bolted and riveted connections are established as reliable and efficient joining techniques for multi-material design with composites. In combination with textile-reinforced thermoplastics, these joints additionally offer the potential of introducing the required holes by warm-forming processes. In contrast to the classic methods of hole manufacturing (e.g. drilling), the load-bearing fibers are not cut, but advantageously shifted aside into the surrounding laminate. In this work, the technological, experimental and theoretical basis for the systematic analysis of this hole moulding technology are provided and, based on this, its application potential for automated manufacturing processes is demonstrated.

The Joule heating of carbon fiber-based textiles enables an energy- and cost-efficient processing of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts. This article introduces a new method to pass direct current into a dry, not pre-consolidated hybrid yarn textile based on recycled carbon fibers and polyamide 6 fibers. The aim is to melt polyamide fibers, subsequently impregnate carbon fibers, and finally consolidate the material to form a composite part in a single process step. To increase the reliability of this technology, the electrical properties and the behavior of the material during the heating process must be thoroughly investigated. It will be addressed how the material is characterized during the process and how the changing resistivity of the textile affects the current flow between the electrodes to generate intrinsic heat. Moreover, a method to determine the effective material resistivity by finite element simulation on the fiber scale based on a CT scan is presented. Thus, a validated material model with respect to the temperature development in the textile based on ρ = ρ (T) was established.

Neste trabalho estuda-se o comportamento de laminados fibra-metal em regime de impacto, a partir de uma abordagem teórica, numérica e experimental. Os materiais estudados consistem em camadas finas intercaladas de alumínio 2024-T4 e de um novo material termoplástico de polipropileno (PP) de alta resistência mecânica. Eventos de impacto de baixa e alta velocidade contra placas destes laminados foram realizados a partir de um martelo de impacto e de um canhão pneumático, respectivamente. Nestes experimentos buscou-se identificar as condições limite de ruptura e perfuração das amostras, assim como parâmetros de comportamento do material. O laminado fibra metal de PP (ou TFML) e seus constituintes foram caracterizados a taxas de deformação entre 10-4 / s e 102 / s, utilizando-se máquinas de ensaio universal comerciais e um dispositivo desenvolvido especificamente para este estudo, capaz de caracterizar materiais em taxas intermediárias de deformação. Os modelos teóricos de Jones e Reid-Wen foram adaptados para utilização com TFMLs, sendo capazes de identificar o comportamento do material em regime de baixa e alta velocidade de impacto, respectivamente. Um modelo numérico do TFML em regime de impacto foi desenvolvido utilizando o programa comercial LSDyna. Resultados experimentais e teóricos foram confrontados com esse, apresentado boa correlação na predição do limiar de falha e limite balístico do material. Uma vez que o comportamento do TFML ao impacto foi modelado, buscou-se identificar o efeito da distribuição de camadas e composição de constituintes no comportamento do material ao impacto. Estudos também foram conduzidos com o intuito de identificar a influência da taxa de deformação, geometria do indentador e localização do impacto no comportamento dos laminados. Por fim, uma configuração de TFML foi proposta visando melhoria de seu desempenho ao impacto. / In this work, the behaviour of fibre-metal laminates under impact loading is studied by using theoretical, numerical and experimental approaches. The material is a combination of thin aluminium 2024-T3 layers and an innovative high strength thermoplastic polypropylene material. Low and high velocity impact events were performed using a falling weight machine and a gas-gun projectile launcher, respectively. The thermoplastic fibre-metal laminates (or TFML) and its constituents were mechanically characterized in the range of strain rates between 10-4 / s and 102 / s , using commercial universal testing machines and a specifically designed rig for tensile tests at intermediate strain rates. The Jones and Reid-Wen theoretical models were adapted to be used with TFML plates. A finite element model of the TFML under impact events was developed using LS-Dyna software. The numerical model revalled results that were compared with the theoretical models and the experimental data, providing reasonably similar results. Once the TFML impact behaviour was identified and modelled, the effect of the layers distribution and constituent composition on the TFML impact response was studied. Studies of the strain rate effect, identor geometry and the impact location were also performed. Finally, a TFML configuration was suggested in order to improve the TFML impact performance.