The modal characteristics of the CFRP, GFRP and hybrid composites exposed to HCI environment and impact loadings

Abstract

Composite materials can be subjected to low-velocity impact (LVI) loadings at various velocities in their application areas, as well as corrosive environments, causing degradation in the mechanical and dynamic properties. For that reason, determining the dynamic characteristics of composite materials before and after corrosive environments and LVI loadings is quite important and closely concerns the reliability of the application areas. Therefore, in the current study, Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Carbon/Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (Hybrid) composites were fabricated utilizing the Vacuum-Assisted Hand-Layup Method (VAHLM) and then exposed to corrosive environments and LVI loadings, respectively. In this context, the composite specimens were immersed in 10% diluted HCl solution for 1 week and 1 month and then exposed to LVI loadings at 2 and 3 m/s impact velocities. After that, vibration tests were conducted for CFRP, GFRP and hybrid composites, and thus the impacts of corrosive environments and LVI loadings, as well as fiber materials, on the modal characteristics were examined experimentally. The study's findings showed that CFRP composites had greater natural frequencies than GFRP ones, which was linked to the carbon fibers' high stiffness. On the other hand, it was determined that hybrid composites had higher damping ratios than the others, which was attributed to enhanced energy absorption caused by the various interface characteristics of carbon/glass fibers. It was also discovered that no significant changes appeared in the dynamic responses following the corrosive environment exposure and LVI loadings, which was attributed to the composites' substantial impact and corrosion resistance.

Keywords

• Modal Characteristics
• Damping Ratio
• HCl Environment
• Low-Velocity Impact
• Hybridization

References

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