Direct comparison of low velocity impact performance of nanoclay, boric acid and interlayer hybrid composites

In this study, the low velocity impact effect of glass fiber-reinforced laminated composites reinforced with nanoclay and boric acid was investigated. Nanoclay, boric acid, and interlayer hybrid composites were produced at 0 (pure), 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt% with respect to epoxy resin. Laminated composites were obtained by the hand lay-up method. Impact tests were applied to the specimens by releasing the weight. Tests were carried out with impact energies of 30, 40, 50, and 60 J to evaluate the behavior of composites under loading result in rebounding. Nano reinforcement generally increases the maximum reaction force while decreasing the impact duration, maximum displacement, and absorbed energy. As a result of all the tests performed, the reaction force increased up to 53% compared to the pure specimen, while the absorbed energy, impact duration, and maximum displacement values decreased up to 21%, 36%, and 12%, respectively. The results of the hybrid specimens in the interlayer sequence provided more changes compared to the mono-reinforced specimens (i.e., nanoclay or boric acid). The hybrid specimen with a reinforcement ratio of 1.5 wt% impact face boric acid exhibited the greatest enhancement in impact resistance among all the tested specimens. The reaction force, which is an indicator of resistance, increased by 44%, 35%, 51% and 34% from energy level 30 to 60 J, respectively. Furthermore, the specimen exhibited the lowest values for absorbed energy, maximum displacement and impact duration.