Temperature effects on the impact behavior of fiberglass and Fiberglass/Kevlar sandwich composites

Impact tests were performed on sandwich composites with Fiberglass and Fiberglass/Kevlar face sheets subjected to varied temperatures. A number of specimens were tested at -50 to 120 degrees C temperature range and at 20, 30, and 45 J low velocity energy levels. Impact properties of the sandwich composites that were evaluated include maximum normal and shear stresses, maximum energy absorption, non-dimensional parameters (AEMP, PI, and RD), and compression after impact strength. Composite specimens tested have a urethane foam filled honeycomb center sandwiched between a variation of four layered Fiberglass and Kevlar/Fiberglass face sheets in a thermoset polymer epoxy matrix. Results showed that the impact performance of these sandwich composites changed over the range of temperature considered and with the addition of a Kevlar layer.