Hybridization effects on quasi-static penetration resistance in fiber reinforced hybrid composite laminates

Quasi static penetration tests (QSPT) were conducted on fiber reinforced hybrid composite laminates with a circular and cylindrical punch. Woven Carbon, Kevlar and S-glass fibers were used as reinforcing fibers for production of hybrid and non-hybrid composite laminates. Punch shear test procedures were employed until the perforation and complete plugging shear out of the laminate. During QSPT experiments, a flat end punch with diameter of 12.7 mm has been used for two different support spans (25.4 and 63.5 mm) to obtain two different support span (Ds) to punch diameter (Dp) ratios (SPR = Ds/Dp = 2 and 5). After the experiments, the extent of compression-shear and tension-shear based failure modes were characterized at constant punch displacements of 8 and 10 mm for SPR = 2 and 5, respectively. In addition to visualize of front and back side surfaces, composite samples were half sectioned at damage region to observe the amount of delamination and damage through the thickness of the laminate. It was found that hybridization effects were distinctly observed with dominated tension-shear damage mode at SPR = 5.