An experimental study on low-velocity impact response of nanocomposite beams reinforced with nanoclay

The low-velocity impact (LVI) response of the unidirectional glass/epoxy laminated composites, which were reinforced with various contents of nanoclay (i.e., 0, 3, 5 and 7 wt %) was performed using a drop-weight impact machine. The nanocomposite beams were fabricated using two different methods, including hand lay-up (HLU) and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) methods, to evaluate the effect of the manufacturing method on the impact response. In addition, the influence of the nanoclay type on the impact response was assessed by using Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 15A. The quasi-static and LVI responses of the nanocomposite beams were compared, and the effect of nanoclay on the delaminated area after impact was also discussed. The comparative results of the experiments indicate that the samples fabricated via VARTM method, have a smaller damage area and more energy absorption than the HLU types. However, the beams with 5 wt % nanoclay have the highest energy absorption in both manufacturing methods. Moreover, the mechanism of smaller delaminated area with increasing nanoclay contents is explained according to the impermeable nature of nanoclays.