Low-velocity impact response of 3D woven hybrid epoxy composites with carbon and heterocyclic aramid fibres

The present paper determines the dynamic damage resistance of three-dimensional (3D) woven carbon/heterocyclic aramid fibre hybrid composites subjected to low-velocity impact. The main purpose of this article is to determine whether carbon/heterocyclic aramid fibre hybrid structures can improve the damage resistance of 3D woven composites. Four types of 3D woven composites, which are pure carbon, set heterocyclic aramid fibres as binder yarns, interlaminar hybrids and intralaminar hybrids, are employed in this study. An instrumented drop-weight impact facility was used for experimental impact tests, with the effects of impact energy from 12.5 J to 62.5 J being considered. The test results show that the fibre hybrid form has a great influence on the impact response and that the intralaminar hybrid 3D woven composite shows the best comprehensive performance compared with control groups and was found to have stable initial stiffness as well as impact resistance.