The Effect of Single and Double-wefted Styles on the In-plane Impact Behavior of Fabric Carbon-aramid/Epoxy Intralayer Hybrid Composite Laminates

The characterization of in-plane impact properties of epoxy laminates reinforced with intralayer hybrid carbon/aramid fabrics was investigated. The effects of different fabrics, which had architectures of 2D and 3D form, on the impact performance was analyzed by drop-weight impact test. It revealed that different braiding styles had a significant influence on the impact properties. The anti-impact properties were enhanced due to aramid fibers into fabrics, in particular, the fabrics with 3D styles that aramid fibers as the Z-yarns. Laminates reinforced by 3D fabrics containing 25 % aramid fiber presented optimal anti-impact performance, and impact peak force and absorbed energy reached 4217 N and 26.71 J, increased by 135.5 % and 137.2 % relative to pure carbon fabric system, respectively. The results of damage morphologies showed that main damage modes, of fiber kinking, necking and fracture, improved the cushioning effect of laminates, which contributed to the enhancement of impact resistance capacity of composite laminates.