Modified Charpy-Type Impact Analysis of Thin-Layer Composites After Short-Term Saline Exposure

Abstract

Thin-layer composites provide strength and stiffness while protecting the part, and are exposed to various environmental factors. In this study, the short-term impact behavior of thin-layer composites in a 3.5% NaCl aqueous medium (seawater-like) was investigated. Double-layered glass-glass (GG), carbon-carbon (CC), and glass-carbon (GC) composites were produced with vacuum infusion methods. Then, these composites were cut and exposed to seawater for 24 hours. After 24 hours immersion, samples were subjected to a modified Charpy-type impact test using a 15 J hammer to evaluate changes in their energy absorption capacity. Short-term immersion caused an initial rise in the energy absorbing capability of homogeneous thin-layer composites due to matrix plasticization. Increases in impact resistance of 21.59% and 5.39% were observed in GG and CC samples, respectively. Despite a marginal increase in total absorbed energy in hybrid GC samples, a decrease of 3.81% in impact resistance was observed.

Keywords

• Glass fiber
• carbon fiber
• hybrid composite
• seawater
• Charpy impact test

References

1. [1]. Chawla, KK. Carbon fiber composites. In: Chawla KK (ed) Composite Materials: Science and Engineering. Springer, New York, 1998, pp 252-277.
2. [2]. Das, TK, Ghosh, P, Das, NC. 2019. Preparation, development, outcomes, and application versatility of carbon fiber-based polymer composites: a review. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials; 2(2): 214-233.
3. [3]. Sathishkumar, TP, Satheeshkumar, S, Naveen, J. 2014. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites - a review. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites; 33(13): 1258-1275.
4. [4]. Reinhart, TJ. Overview of composite materials. In: Peters ST (ed) Handbook of Composites. Springer, Boston, 1998.
5. [5]. Peters, ST. Handbook of Composites. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, 2013.
6. [6]. Eken, TY, Kaykilarli, C, Kucukelyas, B, Tabakcioglu, MB. 2024. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and impact test performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites with hematite and goethite. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering; 309(2): 2300271.
7. [7]. Kaboglu, C, Eken, TY, Yurekturk, Y. 2022. Impact performances and failure modes of glass fiber reinforced polymers in different curvatures and stacking sequences. Journal of Composite Materials; 56(7): 1123-1138.
8. [8]. Kumar, S, Doshi, H, Srinivasarao, M, Park, JO, Schiraldi, DA. 2002. Fibers from polypropylene/nano carbon fiber composites. Polymer; 43(5): 1701-1703.

9. [9]. Wang, M, Kang, Q, Pan, N. 2009. Thermal conductivity enhancement of carbon fiber composites. Applied Thermal Engineering; 29(2): 418-421.
10. [10]. Nitai, AS, Chowdhury, T, Inam, MN, Rahman, MS, Mondal, MIH, Johir, MAH, Hessel, V, Fattah, IMR, Kalam, MA, Suwaileh, WA, Zhou, JL, Zargar, M, Ahmed, MB. 2024. Carbon fiber and carbon fiber composites - creating defects for superior material properties. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials; 7(5): 169.
11. [11]. Kaboglu, C, Eken, TY, Guney, S. 2023. Effect of curvature and stacking sequence on flexural strength in glass fiber reinforced composites. Materials Testing; 65(8): 1273-1280.
12. [12]. Singh, J, Kumar, M, Kumar, S, Mohapatra, SK. 2017. Properties of glass-fiber hybrid composites: a review. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering; 56(5): 455-469.
13. [13]. Jesthi, DK, Nayak, RK. 2019. Evaluation of mechanical properties and morphology of seawater aged carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer hybrid composites. Composites Part B: Engineering; 174: 106980.
14. [14]. Yalçınkaya, S, Mertgenç Yoldaş, D, Yoldaş, MF. 2025. Experimental investigation of the effect of seawater on glass and carbon fiber composites via mechanical characterization. Journal of Composites Science; 9(3): 107.
15. [15]. Esleman, EA, Önal, G. 2022. Effect of saltwater on the mechanical properties of basalt/carbon/glass-epoxy hybrid composites. Journal of Composite Materials; 56(25): 3783-3799.
16. [16]. Lu, Z, Jiang, M, Pan, Y, Xian, G, Yang, M. 2022. Durability of basalt fibers, glass fibers, and their reinforced polymer composites in artificial seawater. Polymer Composites; 43(4): 1961-1973.
17. [17]. José-Trujillo, E, Rubio-González, C, Rodríguez-González, JA. 2019. Seawater ageing effect on the mechanical properties of composites with different fiber and matrix types. Journal of Composite Materials; 53(23): 3229-3241.
18. [18]. Erkliğ, A, Oğuz, ZA, Bozkurt, ÖY. 2021. An experimental investigation on the Charpy impact response of glass/epoxy composites aged in seawater. The International Journal of Materials and Engineering Technology; 4(1): 51-60.
19. [19]. Oğuz, ZA, Erkliğ, A, Bozkurt, ÖY. 2021. Effects of hydrothermal seawater aging on the mechanical properties and water absorption of glass/aramid/epoxy hybrid composites. International Polymer Processing; 36(1): 79-93.
20. [20]. Li, W, Lin, K, Yan, Y, Yu, C, Cao, Y, Chen, X, Wang, CW, Kato, K, Chen, Y, An, K, Zhang, Q, Gu, L, Li, Q, Deng, J, Xing, X. 2022. A seawater-corrosion-resistant and isotropic zero thermal expansion (Zr,Ta)(Fe,Co)2 alloy. Advanced Materials; 34(34): 2109592.
21. [21]. Kootsookos, A, Mouritz, AP. 2004. Seawater durability of glass- and carbon-polymer composites. Composites Science and Technology; 64(10): 1503-1511.
22. [22]. Kirar, E, Demircan, G, Kisa, M, Ozen, M. 2025. Deformation rate effect on compression behaviour of glass fiber-epoxy composites under seawater aging. Applied Composite Materials; 32(5): 2035-2050.
23. [23]. Eken, TY. Investigation of the effect of 24-hour seawater exposure on the Charpy impact behavior of glass fiber layered epoxy matrix composites. In: 4th International Conference on Modern and Advanced Research, 2025.
24. [24]. Liu, GR. 1997. A step-by-step method of rule-of-mixture of fiber- and particle-reinforced composite materials. Composite Structures; 40(3): 313-322.
25. [25]. Schutte, CL. 1994. Environmental durability of glass-fiber composites. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports; 13(7): 265-323.
26. [26]. Sayer, M, Bektaş, NB, Sayman, O. 2010. An experimental investigation on the impact behavior of hybrid composite plates. Composite Structures; 92(5): 1256-1262.