Experimental and numerical damage analysis of low-velocity drop weight impact of polyethylene self-reinforced composite laminates for transportation applications

Abstract

This study covers a low-velocity impact property analysis of Polyethylene self-reinforced composites (PET-HDPE/HDPE SRC)through experimental and numerical methods emphasizing the influence of interfacial properties. Self-reinforcing a polymer material has gained a lot of attention due to maximum exploration of their light density characteristics with better chemical compatibility and interfacial adhesion of matrix and reinforcement, resulting in higher fuel efficiency. Reusability of self-reinforced thermoplastic composites even without separating their constituent materials has been observed to be aiding the circular economy strategies. The study aimed to analyze the peak load characteristics, energy-absorbing characteristics, and damage response of these materials processed through the hot compaction technique and subjected to a drop mass impact test. Fractographic visual inspection, optical macrographs, Scanning electron microscopy analysis, and through transmission ultrasonic C-scan were employed to study the damage evolution and failure mechanisms under the low-velocity impact. Three levels of impact energy were included in the test matrix, and initiation of the damage, nature of the matrix, interface debonding, matrix and fibre failures could be identified through the inspection of the damage cross-section at the impact eye. A finite element model developed through commercial FEA packages (Abaqus) was utilized for the complex mechanisms of damage and failure. Weak interfacial adhesion due to the self-lubricating nature of the polyethylene fibre surface contributed to the fibre pull out during the drop weight impact. A qualitative analysis and correlation of the nature of surface damage and internal damage were also studied, which are the factors that are necessary for the development of cargo containers and marine/aerospace ultralight luggage applications.