High strain rate tensile properties of basalt-fibre reinforced polymer composites

In the present study, we experimentally investigated the quasi-static and high strain rate (10 m/s) tensile properties of basalt fibre reinforced polymer composite (BFRP) in the warp direction. The results are compared with glass fibre reinforced polymer composite (GFRP) with the same stacking sequence. The results demonstrate that tensile strength of both BFRP and GFRP increase by more than 20 % at the loading velocity of 10 m/s, showing similar strain rate sensitivity. The dynamic tensile failure modes are studied using high speed camera footage and are compared for both BFRP and GFRP. The main failure mechanism in both BFRP and GFRP under high strain rate tensile loading is determined to be the fibre rupture. The proposed experimental results can be used in the design and modelling of energy absorbing composite structures.