GF/epoxy laminates embedded with wire nets: A way to improve the low-velocity impact resistance and energy absorption ability

The present paper aims to provide further understanding of the low-velocity impact behaviour of glass fabric cloth reinforced epoxy composite panels embedded with wire nets (WN-GF/epoxy). WN-GF/epoxy hybrid panels with six layer modes were manufactured by vacuum-assisted injection process. Low-velocity impact tests with various incident velocities were performed, and the perforation thresholds of the designed specimens were found out. Scanning electron microscope was carried out to study the microstructure of the composites after impact. Experimental results show that perforation threshold velocity of the specimens appears a bi-linear increasing tendency with increase of the embedded wire nets, and the increase ratio has an inflection point. Damage pattern observation results show that the enhanced energy abortion ability is mainly due to the increased delamination area of the specimens during the impact events. 3D finite element models were developed in ABAQUS/Explicit to analyze the damage behavior of WN-GF/epoxy composites, and a user subroutine was compiled. The contact load and change of kinetic energy absorption characteristics have been used to validate the finite element results. The penetration process and damage modes of WN-GF/epoxy interply hybrid composites under low-velocity impact are further discussed with the assistant of numerical results.