Effect of interlayer carbon fiber dispersion on the low-velocity impact performance of woven flax-carbon hybrid composites

Abstract

This work investigates the effects of interlayer hybrid fiber dispersion on the impact response of carbon-flax epoxy hybrid laminates at low carbon volume fractions, and benchmarks the mechanical performance enhancement against the non-hybrid flax epoxy. Five hybrid laminate stacking sequences with similar carbon-to-flax weight ratio were fabricated and subjected to low-velocity impact at three different energy values, generating non-perforated and perforated damage states. A virtual drop-weight impact test that models intralaminar failure based on continuum damage mechanics approach, and delamination using cohesive elements, was also implemented to evaluate the material behavior and damage development in the composites. Simulation results were then verified against experimental data. Results suggested that positioning stiffer carbon plies at the impact face does not necessarily lead to enhancement of the hybrid's impact properties. On the contrary, flax plies at the impacted side lead to significant improvement in impact resistance compared to the non-hybrid flax composite with similar thickness. Results of finite element analysis showed that carbon plies play a significant role in the hybrid laminate's energy absorption characteristics due to lower failure strain.

Damping Properties of Flax/Carbon Hybrid Epoxy/Fibre-Reinforced Composites for Automotive Semi-Structural Applications

“…This shows that the closer the carbon layers are together, the stronger the composite becomes. It could also be seen that as the flax fibre content increases, a decrease in Young's modulus and tensile strength is recorded, as shown in Figure 4, a pattern common in the literature [7,9,35]. It is also interesting to note that when comparing the [C/F2/C ±45 ] s and [C/F2/C] s laminates, they both have a very similar Young's modulus property that is within 1% of each other, although [C/F2/C] s has a much higher tensile strength, as demonstrated in Figure 4.…”

Novel Low-Twist Bast Fibre Yarns from Flax Tow for High-Performance Composite Applications

“…Various studies are available in which the favourable properties of combining different materials or types of fibres have been investigated. For example, flax and carbon [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], flax and basalt [ 29 , 35 , 36 ], flax and graphite [ 37 ] flax and Kevlar [ 38 ] and flax and glass [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] were hybridised. If glass as outer layers and a flax core are used in the hybrid material, water absorption can be significantly reduced compared to a pure flax composite [ 40 , 45 ].…”

Low velocity impact, compression after impact and morphological studies on flax fiber reinforced with basalt powder filled composites

“…Normally hybrid composites are good for low velocity impact (LVI) related applications in that CAI(compression after impact) helps to study about the impact damage responses and residual strength of the composite after impact [13]. The impact damage threshold resistance was more for flax fiber and also good interlaminar resistance towards delamination, the damage development on the surface of the composite was also very less while adding some powdered synthetic materials [14][15][16]. Flax fiber and basalt powder combination has excellent displacement towards failure and also they shows a better performance with less damages, to study about the damages on internal surfaces and morphological changes with the help of FTIR and XRD analysis further understanding about failures and its causes [17][18][19].…”