The effect of carbon nanotubes on high velocity impact behavior of hybrid Kevlar- ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers composite with interlayer configuration

In this research, the effect of adding multi-wall carbon nanotubes on high velocity impact behavior of epoxy matrix composites with kevlar fibers and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers layered arrangement was investigated. Initially, hybrid composite specimens were made in 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.9 wt.% cabon nanotube by hand lay-up method, in temperature of 200 °C and 50 minutes. Therefore, high velocity impact test with a sharp projectile with velocity 84 m/s was performed on hybrid composites. Also, to investigate the failure mechanism of hybrid nanocomposites, a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used. The results showed that energy adsorption increased for the specimen containing 0.1 wt.% of carbon nanotubes by 13.56% in comparison with the without nano specimen. Proper distribution of carbon nanotubes and stress transfer between fibers and matrix, increased delamination and has been more energy absorbed. Also, microscopic results showed that in 0.1 wt.% of carbon nanotube, the cracking bridging phenomenon and nanotube pulling out, energy absorption in the hybrid composite was increased.