Low Velocity Impact Damage Characterization of Woven Jute—Glass Fabric Reinforced Isothalic Polyester Hybrid Composites

Abstract

This study explores the effects of hybridization of glass fiber on low velocity impact behavior and damage tolerance capability of woven jute fabric composite. Laminates were fabricated by the hand lay—up technique using a mold and cured under light pressure at room temperature. Low velocity impact tests were conducted on jute and hybrid samples (150 × 150 mm) using an instrumented drop weight impact tower. All the samples were impacted at four different energy levels by changing the drop height, and load—energy—time plots were recorded using data acquisition software. Some of the samples were subjected to the non-destructive test (C-scan) to study the nature and extent of damage and to measure the delamination area. Post-impact tension tests were conducted to assess the damage tolerance capability of the composites. The results of the study indicated that jute laminates have better impact energy absorption capacity than jute—glass hybrid laminates; however their damage tolerance capability is less than jute—glass hybrid laminates.