Experimental and numerical investigations on low-velocity impact response of high strength steel/composite hybrid plate. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yiben; Sun, Lingyu; Li, Lijun; Wang, Taikun; Shen, Le
• Is Part Of: International journal of impact engineering. Volume 123(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Impact damage -- Finite element analysis -- Metal-polymer hybrid (MPH) -- Short fiber -- Interface; Impact -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Impact -- Périodiques; Choc (Mécanique) -- Périodiques; Impact; Shock (Mechanics); Periodicals; 620.1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2018.08.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-743X

Abstract

Highlights: Low-velocity impact investigations were conducted on steel/short glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic hybrid plates fabricated by a direct injection molding process. A finite element model is developed successfully to predict the low-velocity response of direct injection molding hybrid plates. The interface between steel and thermoplastic composite is a weak position in the hybrid material systems and sensitive to low-velocity impact loading. Plastic deformation of steel layer, fracture of injection composite layer and the interface delamination are three main failure modes. The incident angle significantly affects the dynamic response of direct injection molding hybrid plates under low-velocity impact loading. Abstract: Low-velocity impact tests were carried out on steel/short glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic hybrid plates fabricated by a direct injection molding process. The impact response such as absorbed energy, peak force, dent depth and damage area was studied. A finite element model based on the data obtained from the dynamic and static tests of the constituent materials has been proposed to predict the response and failure behavior of hybrid plates under low-velocity impact loading, which is validated by comparing experimental results. Using the validated model, the damage process of the thin interface between steel and composite was analyzed conveniently and cost-effectively. It is found that the plastic deformation of steel, the fracture of composite and the interface delamination are three main failure modes. After the minor plastic deformation of constituent materials, the interface delamination occurred and propagated rapidly. In addition, the finite element model is developed successfully to investigate the effects of the impact velocity, the incident angle as well as the constituent material thickness on the impact behavior of hybrid plates. The results obtained in this study can support the design and optimization of load-bearing metal-polymer hybrid (MPH) structures.