Hybridization Strategy for Improving Damage Tolerance of Three Phase Composites

摘要

This paper presents the development of novel three phase composite materialsconsisting of reinforcing fibers and continuous thermoplastic fibers in a thermosetmatrix. In this work, two hybridization strategies have been employed for blendingthermoplastic fibers with reinforcing fibers- comingling and micro-wrapping. S-glassand Polypropylene have been blended using a) air-jet comingling process and b) intratowmicro-wrapping. Damage resistance and tolerance of the two material systemshave been evaluated with drop-weight impact and compression after impact (CAI)tests. Results indicate that thermoplastic fibers improve the total absorbed energy ofthe composite by toughing mechanism through extensive plastic deformation as wellas providing a protection to glass fibers to enhance damage tolerance of the hybridlaminates.