Compression after Impact Behavior of S2-Glass Reinforced Composite Plates at Low Temperatures

Abstract

Composite materials are used in a wide variety of applications due to their durability, high mechanical strength and low weight. As a result, they have application in several industrial areas. The automotive, marine and aerospace industries are a few of these sectors. Glass fibers are the most often implemented reinforcement material in composites because of their lower cost and greater strength compared to other types of fibers. They can be employed with ease in the aircraft industry due to their high degree of thermal resistance. These aspects have led to many researchers on S2-glass composites. There are gaps in the literature despite the fact that there have been numerous studies on this topic. In this study, the vacuum assisted resin infusion method (VARIM) was used to manufacture S2- glass/epoxy composites with 18 layers. Firstly, pre-curing was carried out during the production process at 50 °C for 30 minutes, followed by an 8-hour curing process at 80 °C. After production, the composite material was cut into 100 mm x 150 mm sized specimens. Impact test was performed at room temperature with the Ceast 9350 Fractovis Plus impact test machine for different impact energies. Then, Compression after impact (CAI) tests were conducted at low temperatures for impacted and unimpacted specimens to assess influence of impact damage on the residual compressive strengths of the composite plates by Universal Shimadzu testing machine according to Boeing CAI fixture (ASTM D 7137). Impact behavior and the effect of low temperature on the CAI strength of S2-glass/epoxy composite plate were investigated.