Hybridization effect of Kevlar and glass fibers on CFRP composite under low velocity impact: Numerical simulations

Abstract

Present work aimed to investigate the hybridization effect of Kevlar and glass fibers to enhance the impact performance of CFRP composites under low velocity by numerical analysis. Analyzing the stack sequencing of Kevlar and glass fibers becomes essential to improve the impact resistance of CFRP composite structures. It is important to know the dynamic behavior of hybrid composites under LVI. To get the best possible stack sequence, numerical simulations were carried out on different stacking sequence combinations of Kevlar and glass with carbon fiber epoxy composites for 25 J energy levels. A virtual drop weight impact test conditioned numerical model created in Abaqus software mimics the actual intralaminar and interlaminar failure. Intralaminar models based on continuum damage mechanics and interlaminar, that is, delamination failure based on cohesive modeling used to evaluate the damage development and material behavior. From the obtained simulation results, the hybrid composites having Kevlar fibers exhibited superior impact resistance.