Abstract:
Our world is vulnerable to the dangers of global warming and climate change because of
their implications on economic, health, safety, water, ecosystem, infrastructure, and food
production. Dangers of environmental changes have forced scientists and researchers to act
against climate change to save our planet and protect biodiversity. Researchers and
scientists are now highly interested in using natural fibers to reinforce composites for
various engineering applications as they are eco-friendly, low cost, biodegradable and have
renewable characteristics instead of synthetic fiber-based composites because of their high
carbon footprint. Hybrid composites are combination of different types of reinforced fibers
that provide a synergistic effect, which gives new and better properties. In the present
research, the influence of five different stacking configurations on drop weight and
compression after impact (CAI) characteristics of basalt and flax natural fiber-based hybrid
composites is studied. The manufactured composite laminates have been experimentally
characterized by drop weight impact and CAI tests at three different impact energies i.e.
30J, 45J and 60J. After the drop weight impact tests, indentation and damage measurements
have been performed. CAI tests have been performed to find out the residual compressive
strength of damaged laminates. During the drop weight impact test, symmetric
configuration SS3 (B2F2B2F3B2F2B2) withstands the maximum force and highest
bending stiffness. For all stacking configurations, at impact energies of 30 J and 45 J, a
closed force–displacement curve was obtained. No perforation in the specimens is
represented by partially closed curves. At 60J impact energy, perforation occurred in SS1
(B11F3B), SS2 (B6F3B6) and SS4 (BFB5FB5FB). SS1 (B11F3B) exhibits maximum
indentation at all three energy levels whereas, SS5 (BF3B11) exhibits minimum
indentation at all three energy levels and no damage at rear (non-impact) side was observed.
From CAI results, it can be concluded that SS2 (B6F3B6) and SS3 (B2F2B2F3B2F2B2)
are stronger than all other stacking configurations. The residual compressive strength of
SS2 (B6F3B6) was higher at 30 J and 45 J than that of SS3 (B2F2B2F3B2F2B2), which is
stronger at 60 J
