In this study, the combination of flax fibre reinforced epoxy with thin aluminium layers is realised as a partially biobased alternative to current FMLs, aiming to obtain primarily good vibration damping properties and improved impact resistance. The impact behaviour of the flax fibre reinforced aluminium (FLARE) will be evaluated by low velocity impact and quasi-static indentation tests to identify the role of each material constituent. The results will be compared with a predictive model based on the work of F. Morinière et al. [3]. For the damping properties, to cover a wide range of frequencies and to compare methods, the vibration absorption capacities will be measured by dynamic mechanical analysis and vibration beam tests. The results will be compared to the model predictions from the metal volume fraction method.

Finally, this study will give a first overview of the properties of FLARE and will verify the validity of the predictive tools developed for conventional FMLs, which help in the design phase to optimise the structure according to specific requirements.