Impact performance of macrocomposite laminates - 2. Effect of adhesive layers

The effect of an adhesive layer on impact energy of macroscopic materials w as studied. Both glass and carbon fibers reinforced plastic (GFRP and CFRP) composites were bonded to stainless steel using two types of adhesives: ep oxy and ionomer. The FRP materials contain biaxial and quasiaxial fabrics. The impact properties of the FRP/stainless steel using the two types of adh esives were compared at both low (10 J) and high (120 J) energies. The resu lts indicate that adhesive layer can make a significant contribution in imp roving the impact properties of composite materials. Ionomer adhesive prove d to be more active than the epoxy adhesive as evident from degeneration of impact properties which was less than 20% while that of epoxy was as high as 30%. It was also observed that the deformation sustained by the stainles s steel using epoxy adhesive was more severe than that of ionomer adhesive.