Impact resistance of plain and twill fabric in GFRP measured by active thermography

This paper discusses the impact resistance of glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites depending on the type of reinforcement – plain or twill weave. The values of impact energy were: 3J, 10J and 15J. Specimens featuring twill weave transferred higher force during the impact as compared with plain weave specimens. It was observed that an increase of impact energy was accompanied by an increase of the disproportion in transferred forces, in favour of twill weave specimens. Impact damage (in both types of weave) occurring as a result of 3J impact was undetectable with active thermography method. The damage area measured by means of active thermography for impact energy values equal to 10J and 15J proved that the type of reinforcement significantly influences the impact resistance of a composite.This has been justified by smaller damage areas with high spot intensity of damage in plain weave specimens and highly dispersed damage with lower intensity in twill weave specimens.