Comparison of the impact damage resistance of non-hybrid and intra-ply hybrid carbon/E-glass/polypropylene non-crimp thermoplastic composites

Abstract

This study aims to compare the low-velocity impact and post-impact properties of intra-ply hybrid carbon/E-glass/polypropylene non-crimp thermoplastic composites with non-hybrid carbon/PP and E-glass/PP non-crimp thermoplastic composites. Impact test was performed at four energy levels as 15 J, 30 J, 45 J and 60 J. Post-impact properties of hybrid thermoplastic composites were tested by compression after impact method for each energy level to understand the impact damage tolerance of intra-ply hybrid carbon/E-glass/PP non-crimp thermoplastic composites. The effect of hybridization on energy absorption of composites was not significant, while C-scan results showed that the intra-ply hybrid non-crimp thermoplastic composites had smaller impact damage areas in comparison to the non-hybrid samples. Compression and compression after impact tests results confirmed that the intra-ply hybridization increased the toughness of the composite laminates. Also, the residual compression strength/modulus increased with hybridization which indicated to damage tolerance.