Quasi-Static Indentation Behaviour of Carbon-Basalt Hybrid Cylindrical Composites

A quasi-static indentation behavior of continuous carbon/basalt fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites have been experimentally investigated. Quasi-static testing gives a primary assessment of composites required to be tested under low velocity impact response. Hybrid composites were fabricated by filament winding technique at five different hybrid configurations consist of carbon layers and basalt layers with constant thickness. Quasi-static experiments were conducted utilizing two different indenter shapes through quasi-static testing machine at a constant loading rate of 2 mm/min. The tested samples were carefully examined with visual inspection to predict failure modes. Results showed the effect of hybridization in terms of force–displacement curves, energy dissipation and damage occurred due to quasi-static test. The indentation resistance of carbon/epoxy composites was significantly higher than for basalt/epoxy for both indenters used. The hybrid configurations having many ductile basalt fiber layers on the exterior side (i.e., samples No. 3 and 5) showed the highest maximum indentation force and energy absorption compared to other hybrid configurations and base composites. Furthermore, a positive effect of flat indenter shape in terms of indentation force and energy absorption was observed compared to the cylindrical indenter shape for all the tested specimens.