Experimental dynamic analysis of polymer-based nanocomposite beams under low-velocity impact loading

Abstract

An experimental study was performed on low-velocity impact response of nanocomposite beams reinforced with different loadings of nanoclay (0, 3, 5 or 7 wt%). Using two commercially organo-modified nanoclays (Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 15A), as well as two types of manufacturing methods (hand lay-up and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding), a set of composite/nanocomposite beam samples was prepared. To apply identical boundary conditions along the width of the beam, a cylindrical impactor was selected, whose lateral surface was in contact with the beam. The comparative results of the low-velocity impact (LVI) and quasi-static tests for the beam with 3 wt% Cloisite 30B showed that energy absorption capacity of dynamic loading and quasi-static one was equal to 20.75 and 40 J, respectively. Therefore, it was deduced that the energy absorption capacity of an LVI sample was approximately twice as much as that of a quasi-static one. In addition, the smaller after-impact damage to the beams with a higher content of nanoclay was justified as a result of the impermeable nature of nanoclays. Moreover, it was observed that addition of Cloisite 15A significantly increased the energy absorption capacity of the composite than that of the Cloisite 30B. However, increasing the weight percentage of Cloisite 15A had no significant effect on energy absorption capacity of nanocomposite. The reason of the last result has been described in the paper with a precise study of the microstructure of the materials.