Mechanical performance of aramid/glass fiber hybrid weft-knitting-reinforced composites under low-velocity impact

In response to the defects of easy delamination, poor impact resistance, and low toughness in laminates, intra-layer aramid/glass hybrid weft-knitted reinforced composites without lamination were designed and prepared. This paper investigated the tensile, bending, and impact response of aramid/glass hybrid weft-knitted reinforced composites. Homogeneous and hybrid composites with glass: aramid hybrid ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and hybrid modes of transverse hybrid, oblique hybrid, and vertical interlocking hybrid were prepared by vacuum resin transfer molding (VARTM) technique. The tensile and bending properties were evaluated from stress, modulus, and strain/deflection, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed. The impact response was analyzed from peak force, maximum displacement, and energy absorption. The results confirm that interlacing brittle glass yarns with aramid yarns exhibits a positive hybrid effect. The ratios of 50%, 33%, and 25% aramid fiber in the transverse hybrid enhanced the longitudinal strength by 72.86%, 52.13%, and 22.01%. The mechanical properties of the oblique hybrid are similar in warp and weft direction; by contrast, the other two hybrid methods demonstrate mechanical anisotropy. This article implements the preparation and mechanical properties research of non-laminated hybrid composites based on weft-knitted structures, which broadens the design and selection of prefabricated components for hybrid composites.