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.