Multi-level hybridization in mitigating impact damages in advanced composites - A review on recent trends

Advanced polymer laminated composites are widely used in various external structural components in modern aircraft and aerospace applications. These structures are vulnerable to different types of impact, more commonly low-velocity impact during its manufacturing, regular service, maintenance, and/or other phases of its life cycle. Impact damages produce a significant drop in the residual strength of laminates. These damages happen inside the core of the structure and are difficult to notice and repair. While considering the phenomenal increase in the application of polymer composites in aircraft and also the overall safety of the structure made out of them, it is imperative to find preventive solutions. A comprehensive review is presented in this article on various aspects of multi-level hybridization, especially in advanced fiber-reinforced polymer composites and strategies for the development of innovative hybrid composite materials to mitigate the damages caused in laminated composites as a result of low-velocity impacts. Hybridization strategy applied at fiber and matrix level for the enhancement of impact resistance through the improvement of in-plane and thru thickness properties are discussed along with the current efforts in making the damage detection easy and timely. An evaluation of recent developments for imparting impact performance in laminated composites used in external structures of aircraft and the future scope and trends in this field of research are presented.