Performance analysis of fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite laminates under quasi-static and super-sonic shock loading conditions for impact application

In the present research, glass and basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites' behaviour in quasi-static and dynamic conditions is studied. Composites were fabricated by vacuum assisted Compression molding method. Composites failure under quasi-static tension and compressive conditions was studied along with its failure behaviour under low-velocity impact and super-sonic shock loading under dynamic conditions. The study results showed that basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Basalt/PP) composite's tensile and compressive strength is higher than glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Glass/PP). The Basalt/PP showed no penetration against low velocity impact (LVI) with negligible deformations till 50 J. However, the Glass/PP perforated at 50 J with various failure patterns occurring at back side. The fiber-matrix interface adhesion plays an important role in super-sonic shock loading by absorbing shock wave energy due to ductile nature of polypropylene and the two composites absorbed energy via matrix and fibers failure, no brittle failure of laminates occurred under shock loading.