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Impact Behavior Analysis of Luffa/Epoxy Composites Under Low-Velocity Loading

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Abstract

Luffa cylindrical (LC) has an exceptionally multipartite architecture, a hierarchical and light structure, and a low density. Such a structure is potentially suitable to replace conventional porous-type composites for low-energy absorption and material reinforcement applications. This paper presents an experimental study of the impact behavior of four different luffa/epoxy composites, named (A), (B), (C), and (D) subjected to low-velocity impact (LVI) at energies ranging from barely visible impact damage (BVID) to perforation (5,15, and 20J). Acoustic emission (AE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and digital image correlation (DIC) were introduced to the indentation test to offer additional information on damage mechanisms and on strain and displacement fields since the LVI test has a short duration and real-time damage monitoring is not always achievable. The results showed that the values of the peak force of laminates (A), (B), and (D) are relatively lower compared to laminates (C). In the case of perforation impact energy (20J), the Coefficients of Restitution (CoR) of composites (A), (B), and (D) are equal to 0, which indicates that the nature of the impact is completely plastic, except for composite (C) had a value of 0.11, and a lower degree of damage at all impact energies. Composites (C) exhibit the highest impact resistance, followed by composites (A), while composites (D) display the highest energy absorption, followed by composites (B). Multivariable statistical analysis of the AE signals identified four classes of damage: matrix cracking, fiber-matrix debonding, delamination, and fiber breakage. The damage modes found by AE are well presented and proven by SEM analysis. The luffa fiber-reinforced composite has better impact properties than other natural fiber-reinforced composites.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my parents for their help in the realization of this research work and the authors would like to thank the Laboratoire de Mécanique et Éco-Matériaux (LMEM) of the department of mechanical engineering, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Quebec,Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Mouloud Mammeri-Tizi Ouzou University, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria

    Massinissa Grabi

  2. Dynamics of Engines and Vibroacoustic Laboratory, Boumerdes University, Boumerdes, Algeria

    Massinissa Grabi, Ahmed Chellil, Samir Lecheb & Abdelkader Nour

  3. Faculty of Chemistry, USTHB, Bab Ezzouar, Algeria

    Hocine Grabi

  4. Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, UMMTO University, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria

    Hocine Grabi

Authors
  1. Massinissa Grabi
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  2. Ahmed Chellil
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  4. Hocine Grabi
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  5. Abdelkader Nour
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Contributions

Massinissa Grabi: Realized the experiments, Writing, Original version, Methodology, Revision and editing, Visualization, Validation. Ahmed Chellil: Supervision. Samir Lecheb: Supervision. Hocine Grabi: Methodology, Supervision, Visualization. Abdelkader Nour: Performed the impact tests.

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Correspondence to Massinissa Grabi.

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Grabi, M., Chellil, A., Lecheb, S. et al. Impact Behavior Analysis of Luffa/Epoxy Composites Under Low-Velocity Loading. Appl Compos Mater (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-024-10209-0

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