Low-velocity impact behavior of a hybrid PEEK-PEI multilayer thermoplastic matrix reinforced with carbon fiber
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The incorporation of thermoplastic matrices into composite materials has stirred increased interest in recent years because, unlike traditional thermosetting resins, thermoplastics can be remolded and recycled, thus extending the concept of circular economy to composite production lines. In addition to this, and from the standpoint of mechanical properties, thermoplastic-based composites have displayed better resistance to impact damage and higher tolerance to delamination than epoxy-based composites [1]. In this work, the mechanical response of different carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite laminates manufactured with virgin PEEK matrix, virgin PEI matrix, and a new hybrid thermoplastic matrix using the PEEK-PEI multilayer polymer concept [2] were tested with a drop-weight impact tower and characterized by means of optical microscopy and X-ray computed tomography (XCT). The response of composites with virgin PEEK and PEI matrices did not show significant differences under impact energies of 15J and 30J. However, XCT scans showed a higher damage tolerance for composites manufactured with the hybrid PEEK-PEI multilayer matrix.