Mechanical behaviour of glass fibre reinforced composite at varying strain rates

Here we report the results of compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar experiments (SHPB) conducted on unidirectional glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) in the strain rate regime 5 x 10(2)-1.3 x 10(3) s(-1). The maximum compressive strength of GFRP was found to increase by as much as 55% with increase in strain rate. However, the corresponding relative strain to failure response was measured to increase only marginally with increase in strain rates. Based on the experimental results and photomicrographs obtained from FE-SEM based post mortem examinations, the failure phenomena are suggested to be associated with increase in absorption of energy from low to high strain rates. Attempts have been made to explain these observations in terms of changes in deformation mechanisms primarily as a function of strain rates.