Textile Modeling

Fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) are susceptible to damage resulting from impacts, even non-penetrating ones. This damage, even without outright destruction, may lead to reduction of fibre-reinforced plastics strength and static load-bearing abilities. This paper presents the results of three-point flexural tests on glass fibre/polyester composites after non-penetrating ballistic impact, where the word “ballistic” refers to a high-speed free-flying impactor (projectile). This is a continuation of previous studies, during which the extent of damage in glass/polyester composites after non-penetrating ballistic impact was evaluated. Materials used in the study were laminated composites produced via the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology. This laminates were produced using Polimal 1094 AWTP-1 unsaturated polyester resin and E-glass reinforcement in the form of multiple perpendicular layers of chopped-strand mats, continuous-filament mats, twisted-yarn fabrics and woven rovings. Composites with varying thickness, number of layers and fibre content were produced. The impactor is a free-flying 3 g steel ball propelled from a gas gun. Two striking velocities were tested - 60 and 70 m/s, producing impact energies of 5.4 and 7.35 J accordingly. After the impact, the extent of damage in samples (100x100 mm square plates) was evaluated through digital image analysis. The as-impacted samples were then subjected to three-point bending under set conditions. The results were compared to the results of identical examination of undamaged samples and the reduction in mechanical properties was determined. In all cases, the reduction in strength and load-at-break value was noticed. Thicker, more reinforced laminates show lower loss of mechanical properties, than thinner ones. Difference between strength and load-at-break approach for load-bearing abilities reduction was discussed, and the conclusion is that the latter is preferred to the former in laminated composites due to high thickness dependence of strength. Comparing reinforcement types, continuous-filament mat is superior to chopped-strand mat and woven-rovings. Tightly woven twisted-yarn fabric compares favourably to the woven rovings.

This work presents results of ballistic impact tests on glass-fibre/polyester laminates. An effort has been made to manufacture composites with improved tolerance to ballistic impact using inexpensive, common materials like fibreglass and unsaturated polyester resin, by means of modern, yet popular moulding technology. Laminates were made using various E-type glass fibre reinforcements: chopped strand mat, continuous filament mat, cloth and two different woven rovings, with varying weight. Varying number of reinforcement layers were tested, as well as varying reinforcement-to-matrix ratio - from 20 to 60% vol. Samples of manufactured laminates were subjected to impact by a 3 g spherical hardened steel impactor moving at the velocity of 60 and 70 m/s (giving 5.4 and 7.35 Joules of kinetic energy, accordingly) using a gas gun test assembly. Samples were subsequently scanned using optical flat-bed scanner and the obtained images were digitally processed by software to measure the extent of delamination. Two ways of interpreting the extent of delamination in composites were tested - through the evaluation of delaminated volume and through the maximal delaminated surface area - to find usefulness of both methods. Impact energies were kept low such that none of manufactured laminates were perforated. The impact testing and image analysis of delaminated zone has shown similar range of damage in low-weight cloth and continuous filament mat, contrasted to inferior performance of chopped strand mat and high-weight, loose-structure woven rovings. Relationship between coherence of structure and delaminated area reduction has been shown. Unexpected three-dimensional shape of delaminated volume that had been found was discussed. Moreover, two methods of delaminated zone evaluation in composites subjected to impact - by means of delaminated volume and by means of delaminated area - has been discussed, suggesting superiority of the latter.
Keywords: composites, laminates, impact testing, RTM, ballistic performance
UDAR

Fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) are susceptible to damage resulting from impacts, even non-penetrating ones. This damage, even without outright destruction, may lead to reduction of fibre-reinforced plastics strength and static load-bearing abilities. This paper presents the results of three-point flexural tests on glass fibre/polyester composites after non-penetrating ballistic impact, where the word “ballistic” refers to a high-speed free-flying impactor (projectile). This is a continuation of previous studies, during which the extent of damage in glass/polyester composites after non-penetrating ballistic impact was evaluated. Materials used in the study were laminated composites produced via the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology. This laminates were produced using Polimal 1094 AWTP-1 unsaturated polyester resin and E-glass reinforcement in the form of multiple perpendicular layers of chopped-strand mats, continuous-filament mats, twisted-yarn fabrics and woven rovings. Com...