Experimental study of mechanical behavior for GLAREs and alloy steel samples against Charpy impact test

Abstract

The effect of fiber orientation on impact properties of GLARE laminates is investigated. Nine groups of specimens based on ISO179-1 are prepared by conventional hand-layup method followed by light compression molding procedure and tested. Lowest and highest energy absorption these specimens are obtained. The energy absorption of specimen with 45–135/45–135 fiber orientation is more than 28.04% higher than with 0–90/0–90 fiber orientation. In order to get information about the statistical significance of fibers angle changes on Charpy impact energy absorption, Taguchi’s experimental design plan and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are performed on experimental data. Effect of fibers angle changes in the first and second layers on impact energy absorption are 64.74% and 35.26% respectively. Effect of fibers angle changes in the first and second layers on the area of layers separation by impact are 66.66% and 34.33%, respectively. To compare the energy absorption of steel samples with GLARE specimens, the particular energy absorption is used. The particular energy absorption (J/N) is the energy absorption divided by the weight of specimens. Preparing surface for appropriated treatment and improved fibers alignment, it is possible to make FML, which has the least layer separation and the most absorption of impact energy. This specimen is comparable to metal samples in terms of strength, while it has very low weight. Ratio of energy absorbance to weight in GLARE with 45–135/45–135 fibers orientation is more than 10.35% higher than ST37 steel and 0.82% higher than ST52 steel, respectively.