Impact properties of kolon fabric composites

In this study the impact resistance was tested for the three types of the polyurethane/p-aramid multiaxial fabric (Kolon fabric) composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The surface of all the fabrics was firstly modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AMEO sila-ne)/ethanol solution and then impregnated with 10 wt.% poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/ethanol solution where MWCNT were dispersed. The PVB/fabric ratio was 20 wt.%. All the composites consisted of four layers of the impregnated fabrics. The MWCNT/PVB content was 0, 0.5 and 1 wt.%. The impact properties of the composite samples were analysed by high speed puncture impact tester. The results showed that the Kolon/AMEO/PVB/1 wt.% MWCNT sample yielded around 26% improvement in the impact absorbed energy compared to the Kolon/AMEO/PVB sample.