Effect of winding orientation on energy absorption and failure modes of filament wound kenaf/glass fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composite tubes under intermediate-velocity impact (IVI) load

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the behaviour and strength of hybrid kenaf/glass fibre-reinforced epoxy tubes subjected to axial intermediate-velocity impact loading. The specimens under axial intermediate-velocity impact involve three filament winding orientation parameters of ±30°, ±45° and ±70° of hybrid kenaf/glass fibre-reinforced epoxy and glass fibre reinforced-epoxy. All materials and sampling were prepared at SIRIM STV Malaysia laboratory by using automated filament winding machine to obtain a proper intraply hybrid kenaf/glass composite tube fabricating procedure. Results from the study showed that the concept in fabricating intraply hybrid filament winding technique of natural/synthetic materials has performed similar physical crashworthiness of synthetic composite tube with various progressive crushing behaviours. It was also observed that the winding orientation parameter at θ = 30°, 45° and 70° of the hybrid composite tube have increased the energy absorber properties with 33%, 34% and 56% respectively, compared to the GFRP.

Keywords

• Energy absorption tube
• Glass fibre
• Hybrid composite tube
• Intermediate-velocity impact load
• Kenaf fibre