Analysing impact properties of CNT filled bamboo/glass hybrid nanocomposites through drop-weight impact testing, UWPI and compression-after-impact behaviour

The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in natural fibre based hybrid composites as filler to enhanced low velocity impact (LVI) and compression after impact (CAI) properties of composites are not explored by researchers in literature. In this study, we examined the effect of using multi-walled carbon nanotube material (MWCNT) as nanofillers in LVI followed by ultrasonic wave propagation imaging (UWPI) to visualize the impacted damage and CAI properties of bamboo/glass fibre hybrid composites. Hybrid composites containing 0.5% weight fractions of CNTs were compared with the control hybrid composites. The experimental results revealed that adding CNTs into the hybrid composites show less energy absorption, improved peak force, and increased deflection at maximums of 9.21%, 36.23% and 26.06% respectively in terms of LVI properties. Furthermore, smaller damage size was detected by non-destructive approach for CNTs/hybrid composites as compared to the controls. A maximum of 23.67% increment on CAI strength obtained by addition of CNTs into hybrid composites. We concluded that addition of CNTs into bamboo/glass hybrid composites improved impact and after-impact properties.