Impact damage analysis of woven roving/epoxy nanocomposites at low velocity impact loading

Nano scale clay is dispersed into an epoxy/glass fibre laminated composites. Its behavior under low-velocity impact test is studied. Glass fibers of woven roving mat with density of 610 g/m² is used for this study. Nanoclay content of 1%, 3% and 5% weight is dispersed into resin by a shear mixer. The laminates with clay and without clay are prepared by hand lay-up method. The dispersion of nanoclay into epoxy matrix is examined by XRD pattern. The impact tests on composite laminates could be performed by instrumented falling weight test method. Experiments are carried out with laminates of size 150 × 150 mm as per the ASTM D 3029 for four edges clamped boundary condition. Impact damage, the failure modes and the various factors affecting damage size are studied through the experiments. The Impact damage on the nanocomposites specimens was assessed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and visual inspection method.