Low-velocity impact response of pre-stressed glass fiber/nanotube filled epoxy composite tubes

The aim of this study is to investigate the low velocity impact behavior of pre-stressed glass fiber/epoxy (GRP) nanocomposite tubes. During the production of filament wound tubes with a winding angle of ±55°, carbon nanotubes (CNT) were introduced to the epoxy resin at 0.5%wt and 1.0%wt by ultrasonic method. The nanocomposite tubes were pre-stressed to 32 bars internal pressure, one of the specified operating pressures according to ANSI/AWWA C950 standards. Low velocity impact tests were performed on the pure and CNT added pre-stressed GRP tubes at 5, 10 and 15 Joule energy levels. As a result of the experiments, the contact force-time, force-displacement graphs and absorbed energy values by the samples were obtained. In addition, the damage zones on the specimens were investigated. The effects of CNT reinforcements on the impact response and damage mechanisms of the specimens were evaluated. By adding CNT, it was observed that the damage areas of the samples decreased and was found to affect the impact response of nanocomposite tubes.