Effect of CF/GF fibre hybrid on impact properties of multi-axial warp knitted fabric composite materials

Abstract

The multi-axial warp knitted fabric (MWK) is a useful reinforcement for composite. Higher mechanical performance resulted from no crimp of the fibre bundle is achieved compared with the general textile composites. For the fibre bundle of MWK, only one type of reinforcement fibre among glass, carbon fibre bundle, and so on has been selected. The mechanical properties and the cost of MWK composite depend on the feature of the fibre bundle. In order to extend the applicability of composite, the concept of “fibre hybrid composite” was applied into the MWK composite. Two kinds of fibre bundle; carbon and glass, were used in the 0/90 multi-axial warp knitted fabric. As the fibre hybrid composite; the inter-layer hybrid composite in which each layer was fabricated by carbon and glass fibre bundle respectively was investigated. Impact properties of composite were investigated by using drop weight impact tests. In case of unsaturated polyester, total energy and progressive energy of inter-layer fibre hybrid composite realized the highest value in all specimens. However, in case of epoxy resin, inter-layer hybrid composite didn’t realize the highest value in all specimens. The difference in energy absorption capability could be described with the fracture mechanism.