Effect of fiber hybridization on mechanical performances and impact behaviors of basalt fiber/UHMWPE fiber reinforced epoxy composites

In order to investigate the effect of fiber hybridization on the mechanical performances and impact behaviors of basalt fiber (BF)/UHMWPE fiber (PEF) reinforced epoxy composites, the BF/PEF hybrid composites were fabricated by the mould pressing method. For comparison, the BF composites and the PEF composites were also fabricated. The quasi-static tensile, quasi-static compression and dynamic compression properties of these composites were studied. Meanwhile, the low-velocity impact and high-speed impact properties were analyzed. Thanks to the good matching of strength and toughness, the 60BF/40PEF composites exhibit better critical failure energy absorption capability and low-velocity impact properties than that of the BF composites and the PEF composites. Moreover, during ballistic test, because the BF has a low thermal conductivity, the BF layers can inhibit the conduction of rising temperature to PEF layers in the process of high-velocity impact, and the advantages of high axial tensile strength of the PEF can be fully utilized, which is responsible for the best ballistic performance of the 60BF/40PEF composites.