Transverse impact behavior and energy absorption of three-dimensional orthogonal hybrid woven composites

The transverse impact behaviors of three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal hybrid woven fabric composites were tested on a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. The load-displacement curves of the composites in transverse impact were obtained to analyze the strain rate sensitivity of energy absorption. It was found that energy absorption of the composites increases with the impact velocity (i.e., strain rate). The failure modes under quasi-static transverse loading are tensile failure on back side and compressive failure on the front side, while those in transverse impact are matrix cracking, fiber breakage and fiber pull-out. The 3D orthogonal woven composites have the same failure mode in the warp and weft directions. There is no delamination for the 3D orthogonal woven composites under transverse impact as observed in laminated composites. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.