The behaviour of thermoplastic and thermoset carbon fibre composites subjected to low-velocity and high-velocity impact

Abstract

The present paper describes the results from experimental and theoretical modelling studies on the behaviour of continuous carbon fibre/polymer matrix composites subjected to a relatively low-velocity or high-velocity impact, using a rigid, metallic impactor. Drop-weight and gas-gun tests are employed to conduct the low-velocity and high-velocity impact experiments, respectively. The carbon fibre composites are based upon a thermoplastic poly(ether–ether ketone) matrix (termed CF/PEEK) or a thermoset toughened epoxy matrix (termed CF/Epoxy), which has the same fibre architecture of a cross-ply [03/903]2s lay-up. The studies clearly reveal that the CF/PEEK composites exhibit the better impact performance. Also, at the same impact energy of 10.5 ± 0.3 J, the relatively high-velocity test at 54.4 ± 1.0 m s−1 leads to more damage in both types of composite than observed from the low-velocity test where the impactor struck the composites at 2.56 m s−1. The computationally efficient, two-dimensional, elastic, finite element model that has been developed is generally successful in capturing the essential details of the impact test and the impact damage in the composites, and has been used to predict the loading response of the composites under impact loading.

A three-dimensional elastic-plastic damage model for predicting the impact behaviour of fibre-reinforced polymer-matrix composites

“…interlaminar cracking, to occur. This 2-D elastic damage model has been found [21,22] to give good agreement with such parameters as the experimentally-measured impact load and the overall delamination areas for several different CFRP materials. However, it cannot take into account any plastic deformation of the composite material prior to the initiation of damage.…”

“…previously [22,47]. Low-velocity impact tests on the CFRP specimens were undertaken and these have also been described in detail elsewhere [22,47].…”

“…previously [22,47]. Low-velocity impact tests on the CFRP specimens were undertaken and these have also been described in detail elsewhere [22,47]. Essentially, an 'Instron 9340' drop-tower (CEAST, Italy), was used with an instrumented stainless-steel impactor having a hemisphericallyshaped head with a diameter of 12.7 mm and an overall mass of 3.2 kg.…”

“…For example, in previous work Liu et al [21,22] have used a typical two-dimensional (2-D) elastic model which was implemented in an FEA code for predicting the impact behaviour of CFRPs.…”

Strain rate‐dependent deformation behaviors of multi‐layer carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates

“…Compared with the extensive research on strain rate of metal materials, the number of research on the effect of strain rate on the response of fiber composites is relatively limited. Previous studies often used quasi‐static loading or high strain rate loading to study the relationship between strain rate and mechanical properties of CFRP laminates respectively, also used finite element simulation analysis and actual tensile test to compare 7–13 . The techniques used in these studies include the tensile testing machine, the servo‐hydraulic testing apparatus and the split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB).…”