Abstract:
Four kinds of glass fiber/epoxy vinyl ester resin (GF/EVER) composite laminates interlayer toughened by polyamide (PA), polyurethane (TPU), vinyl ester copolymer (EVA) and co-polyester (PEs) nonwoven fabrics were prepared by vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. The drop hammer impact test was carried out at temperature of 20℃, and the low-velocity impact response and impact resistance of the different GF/EVER composite laminates were compared and analyzed. The fracture mechanism was further studied by means of ultrasonic C-scan and SEM. The results indicate that the GF/EVER composite laminates modified by TPU and PEs nonwoven fabrics have better impact resistance through the comparison of impact damage area, dent depth, maximum contact force and residual compression strength (CAI). The interface phase and fiber binding degree of different non-woven fabrics and matrix resins are different. The impact damage mechanism of GF/EVER composite laminates is the cracking of matrix resin on the surface of impact surface, the delamination inside the composite laminate and the delamination cleavage or fiber fracture on the back of impact surface. Meanwhile, the low-velocity impact performance of GF/EVER composite laminates modified by TPU and PEs nonwoven fabrics was further studied under impact test at low temperature (−100℃, −45℃). The results show that the impact damage area will be increased and CAI will be decreased with the decrease of temperature. This may be the result of the combined action of the interlaminar residual thermal stress of GF/EVER composites and the embrittlement effect of matrix resin at low temperature.