Characterizations of Basalt Unsaturated Polyester Laminates Under Static Three-Point Bending and Low-Velocity Impact Loadings

Abstract

This paper reports the responses of basalt unsaturated polyester laminates under static three-point bending loading and low-velocity impact. Three kinds of composite materials, unidirectional (0 ), cross-ply (0 /90 ) and woven laminates were considered. The laminates were fabricated by layup process and hot pressed under pressure. Static three-point bending tests and low-velocity impact tests were conducted to obtain the force–deflection, force–time, deflection–time, velocity– time, and energy–time curves. The results showed that unidirectional (0 ) laminates carried more load during static loading, but in the event of dynamic loading, cross-ply, and woven laminates were more superior. It was observed that the failure of 0 laminates was along the fiber direction while for cross-ply and woven, the damage was localized, around the impacted locations. From the different combinations of unidirectional (0 ), cross-ply (0 /90 ) and woven lamina, the impact behaviors could be optimized with the lowest area density. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2203–2213, 2014. VC 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers