Effect of geometry and loading fractions on energy absorbing properties of fiberglass polymer composite under quasi‐static and low‐velocity impact loadings

Abstract

The focus of this study is to experimentally investigate the mechanical properties of fiberglass reinforced composite with various aspect ratios and loading fractions in the quasi-static and low-velocity impact loading conditions. In this study, short fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate composite materials were fabricated via a solution mixing method and characterized for their tensile properties by varying both fiberglass loading fraction and aspect ratio. The tensile properties including tensile toughness of the fiberglass reinforced composites were characterized and compared. It was observed in this study that the toughness of the composite was dramatically improved whereas the tensile strength and Young's modulus were moderately enhanced over the neat polymer, which were measured to be only up to 15% and 70% increase, respectively. The low-velocity impact behaviors of the fiberglass composites were also investigated and compared to the tensile toughness of the corresponding composites. Besides, the effect of thickness on their low-velocity impact properties was investigated.