Numerical simulation of low-velocity impact test on PALF/Epoxy bio-composite laminates

Natural fiber-reinforced composites are highly demanded as it reduces the dependency on petroleum-based materials. The present work is focused on investigating the performance of PALF/Epoxy composite laminates under low-velocity impact through finite element analysis. The study presented to understand energy absorption, force-time response, force-displacement response, and damage characteristics of PALF/Epoxy composites. The composites with varying PALF fiber content (30, 40, and 50 % volume fraction) are modeled and simulated using LS-Dyna. Drop weight impact simulations of these composites are performed at different energy levels (3, 5, 10, 15, 20 J). The Impact simulations showed that the peak force of impact and displacement increases as the impact energy level increases. For 20 J of impact energy, a rise in fiber content from 30 to 40% and 40 to 50% volume fraction improved the energy absorption by 30.7 and 10.1 % respectively. PALF/Epoxy (30 % volume fraction) composites exhibited the peak force of 0.7678, 0.8666, and 0.9113 kN with a maximum displacement of 6.09, 14.74, 38.42 mm at 3, 10, and 20 J impact energy levels respectively. The impact study results designate that energy absorption of the specified composites is enhanced with increased loading of PALF content. H and Cross kind-shaped damage were witnessed for the first layer of PALF/ Epoxy composites laminates.

Automated summary

This study investigates the performance of PALF/Epoxy composite laminates under low-velocity impact through finite element analysis. The results show that the peak force and displacement increase as the impact energy level increases. Increasing the PALF fiber content improves the energy absorption of the composites.