Response of carbon-basalt hybrid fiber reinforced polymer under low velocity impact load

In this study, low velocity impact tests were carried out to evaluate the impact performance of hybrid composites reinforced with carbon fibers and basalt fibers. Ten types of hybrid laminates were manufactured following the resin transfer molding(RTM) process with varying stacking sequences and hybrid ratios. The low velocity impact tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D7136. The specimens were observed by the ultrasonic C-scaning machine in order to obtain the failure area. The results showed that impact performance of specimens improved with the increasing percentage of carbon fibers in general. However, stacking sequence could affect the impact performance more largely, and materials on the impact surface also played a significant role. Energy absorption capacity was greatly promoted when setting basalt fibers on the impact surface and carbon fibers on the second layer, and BCCC performed the best among all the hybrid laminates.