Evaluation of repeated high velocity impact on polymer-based composites reinforced with basalt and Kevlar fibers

In the present study, the influence of laminate thickness on the resistance to repeated high velocity impacts of basalt, Kevlar, and basalt-Kevlar fibers hybrid reinforced epoxy composites was evaluated. The composites were fabricated with three different numbers of layers and then subjected to the repeated high velocity impact test with three levels of impact energy. The speed of the projectile was chosen in the high velocity criteria which were 40, 50 and 60 m/s. Impact test repeated for each sample until fully perforating and the numbers of impacts up to perforation were measured and compared with others. The Taguchi design of experiment (DOE) method was applied to predict the results and also to determine the effect of each parameter in the resistance to the repeated high velocity impact. According to the results that, basalt fibers reinforced composites showed higher resistance to damage in the repeated impact, in comparison with Kevlar and fibers hybrid reinforced composites. The effect of important parameters, including the number of the layers, the thickness of each layer and the impact velocity was also investigated on the results.