Energy Absorption Characteristics of Interface Modified GFRP Laminates under Low Velocity Impact

Abstract

The effect of modification of the ply-interfaces in glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates with dispersed micro-particles on its impact characteristics was investigated. The reference and modified laminates were fabricated using woven GFRP prepregs. Impact tests were conducted using an instrumented drop tower device at various incident energy levels. The results were analysed using 5 different energy terms, namely maximum energy (Emax), elastic energy (Eel), absorbed energy (Eab), energy before peal load (Ebpl), energy after peak load (Eapl) and the damping index (DI). This investigation elaborates the relationship between the different energy terms as a function of the incident impact energy and time. The analysis of the energy characteristics indicates reduction in impact damage in the modified laminates. The modified laminates show higher Ebpland lower DI when compared to the reference laminates.