Repair methods of glass fiber reinforcement thermoplastic composites subjected to low velocity impact

Literature studies have shown that there is not enough work on repairing thermoplastics composites. With this reason, the impact characteristics of the thermoplastic composites and the changes in the impact characteristics of the materials after repair were experimentally investigated. However, the effect of glass fiber density rate on the impact characteristics of thermoplastic composite materials was also investigated. Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite materials were produced for two glass fiber density rates (40 percent and 60 percent) in the Composite Production Laboratory of Dokuz Eylul University by hot press method (at 100 degrees temperature at 100 kN load) in 100x100x4 mm forms. In order to investigate the impact characteristics of composites, low velocity impact tests were carried out in the Composite Production Laboratory of Dokuz Eylul University at CEAST Fractovis Plus impact device for six energy level (10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50J). Then, two pieces 54x54 mm uniaxial fiberglass reinforced polypropylene laminated materials were placed on the top and bottom surfaces of the damage zones at 0 and 90 degree angles and produced by hot press method under 100 degree centigrade temperature, 100 kN load. Then, repaired composites were subjected to low velocity impact tests under the same conditions as composite samples produced with granules. After these processes, changes in impact characteristics of composites were investigated due to glass fiber increase and repair process. The results obtained from the study summarized in the results section.