Research on low-velocity impact characteristics of Z-pin reinforced quartz/phenolic laminates

Abstract

The problem of in-plane damage caused by dynamic impact loading of composite laminates can be enhanced by implanting Z-pins. The effect of Z-pin implantation on the impact resistance of composite laminates is investigated experimentally, and the damage process is analyzed by establishing a low-velocity impact finite element model of Z-pin reinforced laminates. The test results show that the maximum impact contact force of Z-pin reinforced laminates can be increased by 8.23%, and the maximum contact force and absorbed energy of Z-pin reinforced samples both increase gradually with the increase of impact energy. The simulation results show that with the increase of impact energy, the expansion of impact damage is hindered by the Z-pin, and it reduces in-plane matrix damage. The expansion path of the interlaminar crack changes when it reaches the Z-pin enhancement area, and the shape of the interlaminar damage changes from circular to elliptical.