Comparative Study on the Low‐Velocity Impact Performance in Basalt Fiber and Flax Fiber Reinforced Composite Laminates

ABSTRACT Basalt and flax fiber reinforced composites are attracting increasing interest for their natural origin, lightweight properties, and sustainability potential. Yet, their low‐velocity impact behavior and failure mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study systematically compares the impact performance of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) and flax fiber reinforced polymer (FFRP) laminates through combined experimental and numerical approaches. Drop‐weight impact tests with high‐speed imaging captured dynamic responses and real‐time damage evolution. At 30 J, BFRP reached a peak force of 5.0 kN—3.8 times that of FFRP—while FFRP achieved a maximum displacement of 30.2 mm, over twice that of BFRP. Numerical simulations reproduced force–displacement responses and crack morphologies with good accuracy, confirming the predictive reliability of the model. Results show that BFRP exhibits high stiffness and penetration resistance but fails through brittle fracture, whereas FFRP dissipates energy via progressive delamination and matrix cracking facilitated by its hierarchical fiber structure and weak interfaces. These findings elucidate the intrinsic strength–toughness trade‐off between mineral‐ and plant‐based composites and provide a useful framework for designing impact‐resistant sustainable laminates.