Quantifying the Delamination of L-Shaped Composite Laminates Under Low Velocity Impact Using X-Ray Computed Tomography

Abstract

Low velocity impact response and failure behavior of L-shaped composite laminates were investigated. The composite laminates with variable thickness, stacking sequences, and corner radius were manufactured using autoclave manufacturing method. Tests were conducted on a custom low velocity impact test setup. In order to investigate and quantify the internal damage of the samples, x-ray micro-computed tomography technique was used. The results showed that the deflection of cross-ply samples was higher than the unidirectional ones, and as the thickness decreases deflection increases for the same loading conditions. In addition, as the corner radius decreased, the deflection was more pronounced. Delamination migration was observed at the mid-plane of the corner in unidirectional samples while delamination planes largely remained separate and parallel to each other in the crossply samples.