14 - Low velocity impact properties of natural fiber-reinforced composite materials for aeronautical applications

Abstract

In aeronautical applications, to date, synthetic fiber-reinforced composites based on carbon/glass/aramid fibers were successfully used in various parts of the aircraft. This is due to their high strength and stiffness. However, natural fiber- reinforced composites have been of prime interest to researchers in recent years, as they have advantages like bio-degradability, low density, and cost-effectiveness compared to the synthetic fiber-reinforced composites. Thus, in this study, the low velocity impact properties of bast fiber and basalt fiber-reinforced composite have been explored, as they have the potential to be applied in aeronautical applications in the near future. It is necessary to understand the behavior of these composites to impact damage, as parts of the aircraft like the tail plane, wing leading edge, etc., have to withstand low velocity impact damage that occurs due to bird strike, hailstones, runway debris, etc., and how various parameters significantly influence the impact properties and damage/failure mechanism of these composites to low velocity impact loads. Vast amount of literature works could be found on the impact properties of bast and basalt fiber-reinforced composites, which have been discussed in detail. Based on the various literature from the previous researcher's work, it is understandable that the impact properties of these composites can be tailored by using different fiber architecture, hybridization, varying the impact energy, impact velocity, and sample temperature, and chemical treatment of the fiber/additive, etc.