Direct Comparison of Low Velocity Impact Performance of Nanoclay, Boric Acid and Interlayer Hybrid Composites

ABSTRACT In this study, the low velocity impact effect of glass fiber‐reinforced laminated composites reinforced with nanoclay and boric acid was investigated. Nanoclay, boric acid, and interlayer hybrid composites were produced at 0 (pure), 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt% with respect to epoxy resin. Laminated composites were obtained by the hand lay‐up method. Impact tests were applied to the specimens by releasing the weight. Tests were carried out with impact energies of 30, 40, 50, and 60 J to evaluate the behavior of composites under loading result in rebounding. Nano reinforcement generally increases the maximum reaction force while decreasing the impact duration, maximum displacement, and absorbed energy. As a result of all the tests performed, the reaction force increased up to 53% compared to the pure specimen, while the absorbed energy, impact duration, and maximum displacement values decreased up to 21%, 36%, and 12%, respectively. The results of the hybrid specimens in the interlayer sequence provided more changes compared to the mono‐reinforced specimens (i.e., nanoclay or boric acid). The hybrid specimen with a reinforcement ratio of 1.5 wt% impact face boric acid exhibited the greatest enhancement in impact resistance among all the tested specimens. The reaction force, which is an indicator of resistance, increased by 44%, 35%, 51% and 34% from energy level 30 to 60 J, respectively. Furthermore, the specimen exhibited the lowest values for absorbed energy, maximum displacement and impact duration.