Effect of Manufacturing Parameters on Low-Velocity Impact Behavior of Aramid, Carbon and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Taguchi Experimental Design

Abstract

This research presents a comprehensive experimental analysis to assess the effect of manufacturing parameters such as fiber orientation angle, number of layers and fabric types on the low-velocity impact behavior (LVI) of fiber-reinforced laminated composites. Three different types of fibers (Carbon (C), Aramid (A), and Glass (G)), three different number of layers (4, 8, 12), and three different fiber orientation angles (0 degrees/90 degrees, 30 degrees/60 degrees, 45 degrees/-45 degrees) were examined to identify the most advantageous structures considering LVI behavior. Given the extensive range of configurations to be evaluated for the parameters of interest, the number of laminates was systematically reduced using a statistical experimental design approach, the Taguchi method. The manufacturing was carried out using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method. The LVI tests were conducted experimentally at different energy levels. The most effective levels in terms of maximum contact force were obtained with glass fiber, 12 layers, and 30 degrees/60 degrees orientation angle, while the most effective levels in terms of energy absorption ability were aramid fiber, 12 layers, and 0 degrees/90 degrees orientation angle. In addition, doubling (from 4 to 8) the number of layers in aramid fiber laminates resulted in 94% increase in contact force and a 120% increase in absorbed energy. Tripling (from 4 to 12) the number of layers in glass fiber laminates led to a 117% increase in maximum contact force and a 229% increase in absorbed energy. Considering these increasing trends in the design stages can provide significant advantages. The study aims to determine the most effective manufacturing parameters and configurations concerning impact behavior.