Thickness and temperature effects on the impact behavior of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

In this study, the low velocity impact behaviors of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene thermoplastic composites were investigated experimentally. In order to improve the low velocity impact behavior, sandwich composites having new orientation were manufactured by using glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite lamina. Impact tests of composites having thickness of 4 and 6mm were carried out at room temperature and 50°C so as to investigate the thickness and temperature effects on the low velocity impact behavior. According to the obtained results, maximum contact force of the specimens with two different orientations is enhanced by increasing thickness as it declines by increasing temperature. © 2012.