The Comparison between Impact Resistance of Woven Fabric Composites and Cross-ply Unidirectional Composites

Abstract

The glass/polyester composite sheets reinforced with glass mat layers, are high strength but they are brittle. For example in boats and other parts made by these composites, the accident fracture due to intensive impact or after operation period, has been observed. Therefore this case reduces safety of devices made by them. Using woven textiles and yarns with higher flexibility, increases the residual impact resistance and accident fracture would be prevented. In present work, composite structures reinforced with woven fabrics by glass and polyester yarns in warp, weft, warp and weft directions manufactured and their mechanical properties (impact resistance and buckling after impact) were measured. Results show that application of more flexible yarns not only reduces the mechanical properties lost but also due to better interface properties with matrix, increase the initial resistance. The best samples provided by reinforcement fabrics, were woven by glass yarn in warp direction and polyester yarn in weft direction or vice versa.