Impact behavior of glass fibers reinforced composite laminates at different temperatures

The impact behavior of glass fibers reinforced polyester (GFRP) was experimentally investigated using notched Izod impact test specimen. The experimental program was carried out on unidirectional laminate of GFRP in directions 0°, 45° and 90° in addition to cross-ply laminate (0/90/0)s. The effect of fiber volume fraction, Vf% (16%, 23.2% and 34.9%) was considered. The impact specimens were tested after exposure to temperatures of -10 °C, 20 °C, 50 °C and 80 °C for exposure time of 1 h and 3 h. Test results showed that the effect of exposure temperature and fiber volume fraction on impact strength of GFRP composite depends on the parameter controlling the mode of failure, i.e. matrix or fiber. The failure characteristic changed from fiber pull-out to fiber breakage with increasing the exposure temperature.