Instrumented perforation impact response of polypropylene composites with hybrid reinforcement flax/glass and flax/cellulose fibers

The transverse perforation impact behavior of flax mat-reinforced polypropy lene (PP) composites with additional discontinuous cellulose (Lyocell(TM), L) and discontinuous glass (G) fiber mat was investigated at a constant rei nforcement content (50 wt. %). The resistance to perforation impact of the PP/flax composite was strongly improved by the hybridization with L and G f ibers. Enhanced resistance to perforation impact of the hybridized composit es was also reflected in the Charpy impact strength values. This improvemen t was attributed to an enhanced strength, which affected the overall failur e behavior as well. The failure mode was inspected in scanning electron mic roscopy (SEM) and discussed.