Low-energy repeated impact response of nanoparticle reinforced carbon fiber epoxy composite pipes

Fiber reinforced composite pipes, which are generally used to transport petroleum, natural gas, chemical liquids, and gases can be subjected to single or repeated low-energy impact loads under service conditions. Composites are materials that are highly sensitive to impact. For this reason, when they are exposed to low-energy impact, damages occur on the material that is difficult to prevent. The composite structure is reinforced by using nanoparticles in order to reduce these damages on the material and therefore increase the impact resistance of fiber reinforced composite pipes. In this study, filament wound carbon fiber epoxy composite pipes were reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNPs). In order to examine the repeated impact response of the produced neat and reinforced pipes, repeated impact tests were carried out at different energy levels (10, 15 and 20 J). Damage mechanisms due to repeated impact were investigated. As a consequence of the experiments, it was concluded that the nanoparticle reinforcement increased the energy absorption capacity of the composite materials and significantly reduced the damage to the materials.