Low‐Velocity Impact of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet by Direct Composite Compression Molding

ABSTRACT In comparison with conventional manufacturing methodologies, the employment of the DCCM process for the fabrication of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic (SCFRTP)s can enhance the efficiency of material molding while ensuring the preservation of the material's mechanical properties. To date, the low‐velocity impact properties of SCFRTPs by DCCM process have not been the subject of extensive research. In this paper, SCFRTP specimens with varying fiber contents (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%) were prepared using the DCCM process. The low‐velocity impact response and damage forms of these panels were investigated under drop hammer impacts with different impact energies (8, 10, 15, and 20 J). The experimental findings indicate that the fiber content exerts a substantial influence on the load‐bearing capacity, energy absorption capacity, and damage failure form of the composites. The maximum load‐bearing capacity of the specimens increases from 6382 to 14,529 N as the fiber content increases, while the maximum center displacement decreases from 4.83 to 3.95 mm as the fiber content increases. Among the specimens, 40% of the samples can bear up to 14,529 N, with energy absorption accounting for 68.3% of the total energy. The findings of this study will furnish empirical substantiation for the direct composite compression molding of SCFRTP in pragmatic applications. This will, in turn, encourage further exploration and implementation in associated domains.