Experimental and theoretical investigation of a unidirectional glass/epoxy composites under tensile and impact loading

Abstract

Impact resistance (energy absorption) is the needful information for any engineering material which has been used for vehicles to reduce the fatal accidents. The present study focuses to investigate the behavior of unidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastic (GP) composites of different orientations [0°, 45°, [45°/-45°/45°]s, [±45°/0°/90°]s and 90°] under tensile and impact loading. The new laminate orientation ([45°/-45°/45°]s) is introduced in contrast to [±45°]s laminate for improving the energy absorption of the composites. The notched impact tests have conducted to obtain the energy absorption of a material using the Izod impact machine. The classical laminate theory [CLT] is employed for determining the theoretical tensile properties. The properties obtained from the theoretical model and experimental studies match well. The significant results obtained from this study indicate that the tensile strength and modulus are decreasing with increasing off-axis loading angle. The attempt is interpreted to elucidate the comparison of experimental studies and theoretical modelling in alliance with the fractography analysis in tensile and impact damaged specimens using the scanning electron microscopy is discussed.