Compression behavior and energy absorption capacity of woven flax-epoxy composite under various stain rates

Natural fiber reinforced composites serving as building block for structural parts are highly desired due to weight reduction in automotive industry. In the current study, the compressive behavior and energy absorption capacity of woven flax-epoxy composite were experimentally investigated under various strain rates. These tested cubic specimens were manufactured by the vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process and tailoring operation. Quasi-static and dynamic experiments were conducted in a hydraulic servo test machine and a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB), respectively. Preliminary dynamic experimental results revealed significant strain rate sensitivity of woven flax-epoxy composite. The ultimate stress increased by 61.2% from 185.2 MPa to 298.6 MPa and 25.9% for specific energy absorption when the strain rate increased from 0.003/s to 2800/s. Results may serve as a guidance for the further investigation of flax fibers reinforced composites in automotive industry.