Study of an Intraply/Yarn Composite Submitted to Low-Velocity Impact in the Presence of High Void Content

The aim of this article was to assess low-velocity impact resistance in polymer composites in the presence of voids, reporting residual mechanical and impact properties, comparing the results with other literature materials and determining the extent to which voids influenced the final result. Thus, three composites with 11 layers were developed, two hybrids (IAYKG) with 3 layers of bidirectional hybrid kevlar/glass strands (intraply/yarn) placed in the middle and outer layers of the laminate, and 8 layers bidirectional fabric with different sized glass fibers, which influenced their void percentage (9 and 4%, respectively), in addition to a non-hybrid composite containing only glass fiber (WG). The tests were carried out using four impact energies (46, 62, 76 and 101 J) until total perforation. As a result, the hybrid yarn improved impact resistance and increased void content (9%), thereby relieving stresses and decreasing damage propagation.