Low-speed impact behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer-based glass, carbon, and glass/carbon hybrid composites

Abstract

Impact is defined as an instantaneous external force applied to a material or structure at low, medium, and high speeds over a very short period of time. In this study, we investigate the impact behavior of glass-epoxy composite (GFRP), carbon-epoxy composite (CFRP), and glass/carbon-epoxy hybrid composite (GCFRP) samples subjected to low-velocity impact testing with varying impact energy levels. Composite plates of 330 × 330 mm2 consisting of eight layers were prepared using the VARTM method for impact experiments. Each composite type was tested with impact energy values of 10, 20, 30, and 40 J and their impact behaviors were examined. It was observed that as impact energy increased, the maximum force and the collapse values increased as well. The GFRP composite samples had the highest impact strength, while the GCFRP hybrid composite samples had poorer impact resistance compared to the GFRP composites and better impact resistance compared to the CFRP composites. © 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.