Impact behavior of laminated composites built with fique fibers and epoxy resin: a mechanical analysis using impact and flexural behavior

This research analyzes the behavior of natural fiber reinforced laminated polymer composites (NFRPC) under mechanical solicitations. Samples were fabricated with epoxy resin matrix reinforced with a multilayer natural fique fiber in a bi-directional commercial fabric configuration. Different reinforcement contents without additives were prepared taking in the account the simplicity in processing, fabrication cost, and applications in which this material might be used with high performance standards. Charpy notched impact and 3-point bending test were carried out to evaluate the mechanical behavior and the work of fracture, which was improved significatively with the fibers, showing an increase from 5 to 30 kJ/m2, a very significant improvement for ballistic applications. These results are compared with the Split-Hopkinson pressure bar tests conducted in previous analysis (SHPB) for the same material. The microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Results reveal the formulation support this material as a high-performance solution for impact applications and it is suitable for substitute traditional expensive materials