Gideon R.K., Hu H., Wambua P., Gu B.
College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, China; School of Engineering, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
Gideon, R.K., College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, China; Hu, H., College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, China; Wambua, P., School of Engineering, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Gu, B., College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
This paper reports the responses of basalt unsaturated polyester laminates under static three-point bending loading and low-velocity impact. Three kinds of composite materials, unidirectional (0°), cross-ply (0°/90°) and woven laminates were considered. The laminates were fabricated by layup process and hot pressed under pressure. Static three-point bending tests and low-velocity impact tests were conducted to obtain the force-deflection, force-time, deflection-time, velocity-time, and energy-time curves. The results showed that unidirectional (0°) laminates carried more load during static loading, but in the event of dynamic loading, cross-ply, and woven laminates were more superior. It was observed that the failure of 0° laminates was along the fiber direction while for cross-ply and woven, the damage was localized, around the impacted locations. From the different combinations of unidirectional (0°), cross-ply (0°/90°) and woven lamina, the impact behaviors could be optimized with the lowest area density. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers.