Instrumented Perforation Impact Response of Polypropylene Composites with Hybrid Reinforcement Flax/Glass and Flax/Cellulose Fibers

The transverse perforation impact behavior of flax mat-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with additional discontinuous cellulose (LyocelliTM, L) and discontinuous glass (G) fiber mat was investigated at a constant reinforcement content (50 wt.%). The resistance to perforation impact of the PP/flax composite was strongly improved by the hybridization with L and G fibers. Enhanced resistance to perforation impact of the hybridized composites was also reflected in the Charpy impact strength values. This improvement was attributed to an enhanced strength, which affected the overall failure behavior as well. The failure mode was inspected in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and discussed.