Impact Damage Behavior of Vinyl Ester-, Epoxy-, and Nylon 6-Based Basalt Fiber Composites

Composite laminates reinforced by woven basalt fibers and based on different polymer matrices were prepared and mechanically characterized, in static and dynamic conditions, to compare the results and evaluate the influence of the matrix type. In this regard, a thermoplastic resin, polyamide 6 (PA6), and two thermosetting matrices, vinyl ester and epoxy grades, commonly used for high-performance applications, were considered. Indentation depth measurements carried out by a confocal microscope and ultrasound analyses performed on specimens subjected to falling dart tests at levels of impact energies lower than the perforation one permitted to evaluate the extent of plastic deformations and of subjected delaminations, respectively. These data have provided useful information about the involved damage mechanisms and highlighted interesting perspective of use for the eco-friendly thermoplastic sample.