High Velocity Impact Damage Analysis for Glass Epoxy-Laminated Plates

Abstract

The ultimate objective of the current work is to examine the effect of thickness on fiberglass reinforced epoxy matrix subjected to high velocity impact loading. The composite material chosen for this research was from type C-glass/epoxy 200 g/m2 and type C-glass/epoxy 600 g/m2. This material is used as a composite reinforcement in high performance applications since it provides certain advantages of specific high strength and stiffness as compared to metallic materials. This study investigates the mechanical properties, damage characterisation and impact resistance of both composite structures, subjected to the changes of impact velocity and thickness. For mechanical properties testing, the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) was used while for the high velocity impact, a compressed gas gun equipped with a velocity measurement system was used. From the results, it is found that the mechanical properties, damage characterisation and impact resistance of type C-glass/Epoxy 600 g/m2 posses better toughness, modulus and penetration compared to type C-glass/Epoxy 200 g/m2. A general trend was observed on the overall ballistic test results which indicated that as the plate specimen thickness continues to increase, the damage at the lower skin decreases and could not be seen. Moreover, it is also found that, as the plate thickness increases, the maximum impact load and impact energy increases relatively. Impact damage was found to be in the form of perforation, fibre breakage and matrix cracking. Results from this research can be used as a reference in designing structural and body armour applications in developing a better understanding of test methods used to characterise impact behaviour.

Hybrid Composite Laminates Reinforced with Kevlar/Carbon/Glass Woven Fabrics for Ballistic Impact Testing

“…The complexity of the damage makes it difficult to assess the precise mechanisms controlling strength reduction. Among these modes of impact damage, delamination has the most detrimental effects on laminate stiffness and strength and has received a considerable amount of attention [ 5 – 9 ]. High velocity impact involves projectiles moving at higher velocities such that the local target materials behave like fluids, and the stress induced by the impact is many times the material strength.…”

“…Sultan et al [ 9 ] mentioned that, as the plate specimen thickness continued to increase, the damage on the lower skin slightly decreased, which could not be seen. In addition, as the plate thickness increased, the maximum impact load and impact energy increased relatively.…”

High velocity impact response of Kevlar-29/epoxy and 6061-T6 aluminum laminated panels

“…The instrumented impact test equipment used in this study was a gas gun impact tester as used by Sultan [30] as shown in Fig. 4.…”

The Effects of Stacking Sequence Layers of Hybrid Composite Materials in Energy Absorption under the High Velocity Ballistic Impact Conditions: An Experimental Investigation

“…Sultan et al [9] mentioned that as the plate specimen thickness continued to increase, the damage on the lower skin decreased so little which could not be seen. Moreover, as the plate thickness increased, the maximum impact load and impact energy increased relatively.…”

“…The complexity of the damage makes it difficult to assess the precise mechanisms controlling strength reduction. Among these modes of impact damage, delamination has the most detrimental effects on laminate stiffness and strength, and has received a considerable amount of attention [5][6][7][8][9]. High velocity impact involves projectiles moving at higher velocities such that the local target materials behave like fluids, and the stress induced by the impact is many times the material strength.…”