Investigation of the quasi static penetration resistance behavior of carbon fiber reinforced laminate HDPE composites

In this paper, a study on the quasi-static penetration resistance behaviour of unidirectional carbon fiber fabric/High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) composite with two different thicknesses which are laminated 4L and 12L (4 layers & 12 layers), i.e., HC = 3.1 mm and 9.3 mm, is presented using the quasi-static punch shear test (QS-PST) methodology for the experiments. The penetration resistance is usually shown by a load–displacement graph, integral of which is the energy dissipated by the composite during penetration. The penetration energy varies with the diameter of the support span which can be equal or higher than the punch diameter. During tests, a flat punch of diameter 7.6 mm with a range of support spans 8.89 mm–50.8 mm has been used and QS-PST experiments are carried out for varying support span to punch diameter ratios (i.e., SPR = 1.16, 1.33, 1.67, 2.00, 2.33, 2.67, etc.). Their damage mechanisms for different SPRs and thickness are documented. Stiffness, peak force, deflection, damage area, and energy dissipation results are presented in detailed form.