Bending and Impact Performance of Kevlar/Basalt Fabric Interlayer Hybrid Curved Composites

Abstract The bending and impact properties of interlayer hybrid curved laminates reinforced with woven Kevlar and basalt fabrics and manufactured by a hand lay-up process with epoxy resin were studied. The results of the investigation showed that the interlayer arrangement of fabrics significantly affects the impact and bending properties of the composite. The placement of Kevlar fibres on the impact side can increase the impact and flexural strengths. In addition, the use of basalt fabric on the impact reverse side or multi-layer hybrid structuring further improves the impact properties of the materials. A sandwich-structure composite with basalt layers in the middle and Kevlar layers on both sides shows further improvement in the bending properties. This hybrid composite combines the good mechanical properties of inorganic brittle fibres with the excellent impact resistance of organic ductile fibres and can provide design concepts for sports equipment such as helmets.