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Abstract

In this investigation, the effect of fiber volume fraction on the energy absorption capacity of fiber-reinforced composite materials was studied using dynamic mechanical analysis measurements. Laminates were fabricated with and without vacuum bag using plain weave E-glass fabric and three types of polymer matrix: epoxy, polyester, and vinyl ester. The higher energy absorption displayed by samples processed under vacuum was related to the shorter distance between adjacent fibers which produces stresses of higher magnitude in the matrix, thus promoting higher energy dissipation. However, when the energy dissipation is divided by the material density, the higher material density of vacuum processed laminates offsets the effects of increased loss modulus at higher fiber volume fraction.

Keywords

energy absorption composite materials viscoelastic properties damping

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Effect of fiber volume fraction on the energy absorption capacity of composite materials

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