Influence of hybridisation and test geometry on the impact response of glass-fibre-reinforced laminated composites

Falling weight impact tests were carried out on glass fibre reinforced laminates and E-glass/Dyneema (high performance polyethylene fibre) hybrid laminates to determine the influence of hybridisation and test geometry on their impact responses. Tests included falling weight impact tests to determine penetration energy and experiments to determine the effect of hybrid construction on damage development. The results of these tests indicated that in order to fully utilise the potential of high performance PE fibres, they should be located on the tensile side of an impacted laminated, and that the geometrical test conditions are such that large bending deformations are allowed