Energy absorption and damage behaviour of surface treated glass fibre/stainless steel wire mesh reinforced hybrid composites

Composite laminates are widely used in many engineering applications. This Study investigated the effect of energy absorption and damage behaviour of treated and untreated glass fibre/ stainless steel wire mesh reinforced hybrid epoxy composite under low velocity impact test. Non hybrid and hybrid composite laminates were fabricated with different orientation by hand layup method. The glass fibre fabric was surface treated with 1 N solution of sulfuric acid and 1 N solution of sodium hydroxide. The stainless-steel wire mesh was also surface treated with electro dissolution and sand blasting. Drop weight impact test was conducted under low velocities 3, 4 and 5 m/s for various combination of laminates. The laminates made with acid treated glass fibre exhibited low absorbed energy and damage area when compared to laminates made with alkaline treated glass fibre. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.