Effects of thickness, fibre orientation and fabric textile on the low-velocity impact performances of thermoset and thermoplastic composites

Abstract

In this study, low-velocity impact (LVI) responses for the thermoset and thermoplastic composites were experimentally investigated based on the fibre orientation, thickness and knitting architecture. To analyse dynamic responses such as bending stiffness, contact stiffness, total impulse, peak force, and absorbed/rebound energy, LVI tests at 2 and 3 m/s velocity, which correspond to the 11.2 and 25.2 J were conducted, respectively. Furthermore, impact-induced damages were examined by using Through Transmission Ultrasonic analyses and macro-scale visualizations. Results from the current study show that woven fabric reinforced composites exhibited more bending stiffness, contact stiffness and energy absorption capacity than unidirectional ones thanks to fibre alignments throughout the longitudinal and transverse directions. Moreover, resin material has favourable effects on the damage mechanisms, as expected. It has been concluded that utilization of the thermoplastic resin enabled the composite specimens to exhibit less delamination.

High temperature in situ impact testing of hybrid thermoplastic polyether ether ketone laminates

“…However, the literature review presented in Section 1 shows that impact-induced damage mechanisms strongly depend on the ductility and toughness of the polymer matrix. [1][2][3][4] Hence the temperature is expected to play a significant role on the load transfer from one ply to another during impact. It should also reflect on the damage mechanisms.…”

“…Thermoplastic composites have gained increasing attention for their higher toughness and better damage tolerance than thermoset composites. [1][2][3][4] A few references have compared the low velocity impact behaviors of thermoplastic laminates at room temperature (RT) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] as well as at low, [11][12][13][14][15][16] high temperatures, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] including strain rate effects. [27][28][29][30] The influence of hybridization on the impact behavior was investigated as well.…”

“…As was pointed out, the impact behavior and damage tolerance of thermoplastic-based composites have been thoroughly investigated over the past 30 years but most references available in the literature focus on impact testing by means of a drop tower. [1][2][3][4] Pendulum impact testing machines and drop towers are both critical to validating the low velocity impact performance and damage tolerance of materials. [5,6] Both types of impact systems can test a variety of materials, including plastics, polymers, and light alloys.…”

Influence of temperature degradation on the low velocity impact behavior of hybrid thermoplastic PEEK laminates

“…20,23,24 Influence of temperature on the impact behaviour of polymer matrix composites Thermoplastic (denoted TP) composites have gained increasing attention for their higher toughness and better damage tolerance than thermoset (denoted TS) composites. 7,[25][26][27][28][29] A few references compared the low-velocity impact behaviors of thermosetting and thermoplastic laminates at Room Temperature (RT) 1,2,30,31 and at low 4,[32][33][34] and high temperatures. 21,24,34,35 TP laminates usually demonstrate lower structural loss up to 200%, lower contact force by 14%, and lower absorbed energy by 48% compared to those of TS counterparts.…”

“…In addition to the nature of the matrix, as was recently shown by Zhang et al, the reinforcement architecture also plays significant roles in the mechanical behavior of composite materials. 29,40 A satin weave reinforcement is a relatively complex form compared with common unidirectional laminates, plain or twill composite materials. Each weave form is associated with specific deformation and damage mechanisms within the laminates.…”