Impact behavior of aramid fiber/glass fiber hybrid composites: The effect of stacking sequence

Aramid fiber/glass fiber hybrid composites were prepared to examine the effect of stacking sequence on the impact behavior of thin laminates. The effect of position of the aramid layer on the impact properties of hybrid composites was investigated using driven dart impact tester. The delamination area and fracture surface of hybrid composites were analyzed for correlation with impact energy. The addition of glass layer to aramid layer reduced the impact resistance of hybrid composite due to the restriction in the deformation of aramid layer. The position of aramid layer resulted in variations in the impact behavior of hybrid composites. When the aramid layer was at the impacted surface, the composite exhibited a higher impact energy. This was attributed to the fact that the flexible layer at the impacted surface in thin laminates can experience larger deformation. In three-layer composites, the aramid fiber-reinforced composite (AAA) exhibited the highest total impact energy due to high impact energy per delamination area (IEDA) in spite of low delamination area. Aramid fiber and Glass fiber-reinforced composites showed a different impact behavior according to the change of thickness. This was attributed to the difference in the energy absorption at interface between laminae.