Abstract
In an attempt to increase the low-velocity impact response of natural fiber composites, a new hybrid intraply woven fabric based on flax and basalt fibers has been used to manufacture laminates with both thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. The matrix type (epoxy or polypropylene (PP) with or without a maleated coupling agent) significantly affected the absorbed energy and the damage mechanisms. The absorbed energy at perforation for PP-based composites was 90% and 50% higher than that of epoxy and compatibilized PP composites, respectively. The hybrid fiber architecture counteracted the influence of low transverse strength of flax fibers on impact response, irrespective of the matrix type. In thermoplastic laminates, the matrix plasticization delayed the onset of major damage during impact and allowed a better balance of quasi-static properties, energy absorption, peak force, and perforation energy compared to epoxy-based composites.
Highlights
The need to increase the mechanical performance of natural fiber composites to meet the requirements of at least semi-structural applications has triggered a resurgent interest in hybrid composites [1,2]
Fiber hybridization offers a comprehensive set of possibilities leading to synergetic effects or to properties not exhibited by the single constituents [3]. This approach has been successfully exploited in the field of low-velocity impact resistance of composite laminates [4], with the first studies aimed at increasing the damage tolerance of carbon fiber composites by adding more ductile fibers, mainly glass [5,6,7] and aramid [8,9,10,11,12]
Glass fibers [13,14] and carbon fibers [15,16] have been successfully hybridized with natural fibers to enhance poor mechanical properties and moisture resistance of natural fiber composites
Summary
The need to increase the mechanical performance of natural fiber composites to meet the requirements of at least semi-structural applications has triggered a resurgent interest in hybrid composites [1,2]. Fiber hybridization offers a comprehensive set of possibilities leading to synergetic effects or to properties not exhibited by the single constituents [3]. This approach has been successfully exploited in the field of low-velocity impact resistance of composite laminates [4], with the first studies aimed at increasing the damage tolerance of carbon fiber composites by adding more ductile fibers, mainly glass [5,6,7] and aramid [8,9,10,11,12]. Glass fibers [13,14] and carbon fibers [15,16] have been successfully hybridized with natural fibers to enhance poor mechanical properties and moisture resistance of natural fiber composites.
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