IMPACT RESISTANCE PROPERTIES OF KEVLAR/GLASS FIBER HYBRID COMPOSITE LAMINATES

In this paper, the impact behavior of Kevlar/glass fiber hybrid composite laminates was investigated by performing the drop weight impact test (ASTM D7136). Composite laminates were fabricated using vacuum bagging process with an epoxy matrix reinforced with twill Kevlar woven fiber and plain glass woven fiber. Four different types of composite laminates with different ratios of Kevlar to glass fiber (0:100, 20:80, 50:50 and 100:0) were manufactured. The effect of Kevlar/glass fiber content on the impact damage behavior was studied at 43J nominal impact energy. Results indicated that hybridization of Kevlar fiber to glass fiber improved the load carrying capability, energy absorbed and damage degree of composite laminates with a slight reduction in deflection. These results were further supported through the damage pattern analysis, depth of penetration and X-ray evaluation tests. Based on literature work, studies that have been done to investigate the impact behaviour of woven Kevlar/glass fiber hybrid composite laminates are very limited. Therefore, this research concentrates on the effect of Kevlar on the impact resistance properties of woven glass fibre reinforced polymer composites.