Experimentation on dynamic compressive response of bio-inspired helicoidal structured Basalt/Hemp/polyurethane rubber sandwich composites

Abstract

In this article, to incorporate sustainability, enhance recyclability and achieve a good trade-off between the cost-weight-energy absorption performance, bioinspired helicoidal structured Basalt (B)/Hemp (H)/Polyurethane (PU) rubber hybrid composites are proposed, and their dynamic compressive response is experimentally investigated using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) setup. These composites' high strain rate performance subjected to both in-plane and through-plane directions are studied. The strain rates ranging from 4254 to 10,750 s-1 are achieved by varying the striker bar's input pressure. In addition, the performance of the bioinspired helicoidal design is compared against the uniform monolithic and hybridised fibers laminated structures. The experimental results suggest that the dynamic compressive properties of Basalt/Hemp-helicoidal (BH-helicoidal) laminates were on compar with that of B-laminates, achieving an almost 30% weight reduction. The optimised fiber orientation at a helical angle of 120 enhances interlaminar shear strength, mitigating buckling and delamination failures, thereby improving BH-helicoidal laminate's structural integrity and dynamic compressive properties. Further, the through-plane dynamically loaded samples displayed better compressive properties due to increased stiffness than in-plane samples. The PU rubber matrix was thermally softened at higher strain rates, enhancing the flow stress. The strengthening mechanism of the proposed composites was evaluated through Cowper-Symonds, strain rate sensitivity, and thermal activation volume parameter. Macroscopic and microscopic imaging was proposed to understand the damage behaviour of laminates as a function of loading direction. Overall, BH-helicoidal laminate is favoured for ballistic application due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainable design. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd