Dynamic failure of basalt/epoxy laminates under blast—Experimental observation

Abstract

The dynamic failures of flat and single-curved woven basalt/epoxy laminates subject to blast loading were investigated experimentally. Number of fiber layers ((0-90)9, (0-90)18 and (0-90)28) and radii of curvature (infinity, R = 500 mm and R = 250 mm) were considered for the laminates in the experiment. A four-cable ballistic pendulum system was utilized to measure the impulse from the blast loading applied to the specimens. The tests were primarily conducted to characterize the deformation and failure modes of the laminates subject to blast loading, followed by a series of postmortem macroscopic and microscopic examinations to analyze the failure mechanism of laminates. The results showed that the blast-resistance of basalt-epoxy laminates was greatly enhanced through increasing the thickness. By decreasing the radius of curvature, the deformation mechanism of laminates under blast impact changed from flexural modes to indentation modes. Optical and scanning-electron (SEM) micrographs showed that the macroscopic delamination was mainly caused by matrix failure and debonding between fiber and matrix. Meanwhile, extensive fiber breakage led to the further macroscopic fracture of the laminates.