Low velocity impact properties of 3D woven basalt/aramid hybrid composites

In order to determine the effect of fiber arrangement in 3D woven hybrid composites on their low velocity impact properties, aramid (Kevlar(R)129), basalt fibers, and epoxy resin were used to fabricate interply hybrid composite in which different yarn types were placed in different layers and intraply hybrid composite in which each layer was composed of two types of alternately arranged yarns. These composites were impact tested at 2 m/s and 3 m/s impact velocities along warp and weft directions. The interply hybrid composite showed higher ductile indices (8-220%), lower peak load (5-45%), and higher specific energy absorption (9-67%) in both warp and weft directions than that of the intraply hybrid composite due to a layer-by-layer fracture mode for the interply hybrid composite. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.