Modeling of Falling Weight Impact Behavior of Hybrid Basalt/Flax Vinylester Composites

The present experimental investigation is aimed at modeling the falling weight impact properties of thermosetting composites produced using a partially bio-based vinylester resin with flax and basalt fibers and using them both in a hybrid configuration, therefore obtaining three different types of laminates, fabricated by hand lay-up and resin infusion. Cure processes were accelerated and controlled by applying heat and pressure in autoclave. After acquiring tensile and flexural data, falling weight impact tests were carried out at several energies of up to 40 J, so to induce penetration, but also to have information on the evolution and the different characteristics of damage produced. Modeling analysis was mainly based on the study of impact hysteresis cycles, which correlate the mode of energy absorption, whether quasi-elastic or producing irreversible damage and the rebound characteristics, in case the energy is not sufficient to produce penetration, from the patterns of force vs. displacement curves obtained during impact loading.