Low velocity impact failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites via experimental and numerical methods

Abstract

This paper investigates the failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites under single and repeated low velocity impacts. Two types of specimens, carbon 2.5D woven composites (C-2.5DWC) and carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites (H-2.5DWC), were subjected to single and repeated impacts at 15 J/mm and 5 J/mm respectively. X-ray micro-computed tomography was employed to discuss the damage distribution. A meso-macro combination finite element model was proposed to analyze the failure mechanisms. The results demonstrated that, when compared to C-2.5DWC, H-2.5DWC has higher specific energy absorption and distinct toughness characteristic under 15 J/mm single impact, and exhibits a more dispersed damage distribution that primarily extends along the weft direction as the number of 5 J/mm repeated impacts increases, resulting improved damage tolerance. The simulation results agreed well with experimental data, and the synergistic effect of carbon and UHMWPE fibers allows uniform propagation of the impact stress within hybrid composites.