Low Velocity Impact Damage Analysis in Plain Weave Woven GFRP Laminates Through Optical and SEM Microscopy
M. A. Kounain1, Z. Khan2, F. Al-Sulaiman3, N. Merah4

1M. A. Kounain, Technology Transfer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
2Z. Khan, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Faleh Al-Sulaiman, CEO, National Company of Mechanical Systems, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3N. Merah, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Manuscript received on 20 January 2016 | Revised Manuscript received on 30 January 2016 | Manuscript published on 30 January 2016 | PP: 29-40 | Volume-4 Issue-6, January 2016 | Retrieval Number: F1522014616©BEIESP
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Abstract: In the present study, instrumented drop weight impact tests at different impact energies were performed to investigate the modes and mechanisms of the low velocity impact damage in plain weave woven glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composite laminates. 8-ply, 16-ply, 24-ply and 32-ply laminates having identical 0o layup were examined via optical and scanning electron microscopy after free falling weight single bounce impacts. It was found that under low velocity impact the failure was initiated by matrix cracking at the interstitial region of 0° GFRP composite laminates. These matrix cracks were much extensive in 8-ply laminates as compared to laminates with larger number of plies. These matrix cracks propagate to cause fiber fracture and fiber matrix debonding and extend across the thickness of the laminate to introduce delamination. The eventual failure thus occurs through the combination of matrix cracking, fiber fracture, fiber matrix debonding and delamination.
Keywords: Low Velocity Impact, GFRP Laminates, Damage Characterization, Optical and SEM Microscopy

Scope of the Article: Network Traffic Characterization and Measurements