Mechanical Performance of Carbon - Aramid Fiber-Reinforced \rlaminated Composites Under Impact and Shear Loading

Abstract

In this study, the drop weight impact response and the interlaminar shear strength of hybrid carbon/aramid fiber-reinforced \rlaminated composites with different stacking sequences were investigated. Seven different laminates including two types of \rsandwich-like interply hybrid, three types of interply hybrid, and two types of non-hybrid named carbon and aramid were \rproduced using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding method. Drop weight impact and short-beam shear tests were applied \rto the laminates to calculate the low-velocity impact response and the interlaminar shear strength, respectively. It is observed that \rwhile the outer layer of the hybrid structure is carbon, the structure can carry less load but absorb more energy. Pure carbon and \rpure aramid composites cannot carry loads but can absorb energy as much as their hybrid versions can. Sandwich-like interply \rhybrid with central carbon showed the best results when load and energy values were compared. Also, sandwich-like interply \rhybrid with central carbon has higher ILSS among hybrid structures because its center region consists of carbon layers.\r