Residual Properties and Failure Characterization of Glass/Epoxy Laminates: Effect of Slender Filler Reinforcement

Effect of slender filler reinforcement on post-impact residual properties of beam specimens, prepared by woven glass fabrics, is studied. The epoxy matrix is reinforced with slender glass fibers at low volume fractions and used to prepare the laminates. The specimens machined from unreinforced (UR) and slender filler-reinforced (SFR) laminates are subjected to 5 J and 12.5 J impact energies. While at lower energy, the influence of short fiber reinforcement on impact resistance and elastic characteristics is only marginal, a significant rise in damage resistance and elastic response of SFR laminate is observed at higher energy level. The quasi-static flexural tests conducted on pristine and impacted samples reveal significant improvement in residual mechanical properties due to the slender filler reinforcement. Micrographic analysis exhibits lesser damage in SFR laminate as compared to unreinforced one, especially at higher impact energies when multiple interlaminar delaminations are observed in the laminate.