Experimental evaluation of the low-velocity impact damage resistance of CFRP tubes with integrated rubber layer

The impact performance of structural components made of fibre-reinforced plastic is often one of the limiting properties during the design process. To improve the damage resistance regarding transverse low-velocity impact loading, a rubber layer (KRAIBON (R)) is integrated into the composite laminate of tubular carbon/epoxy specimens. Numerous impact tests, using two different rubber compounds and three different layups, are carried out. The specimens are impacted using a modified Charpy pendulum. Force time histories have been used to determine the damage threshold load. To visualise damage such as delaminations and inter-fibre failures, the impacted samples have been examined using microsectioning. It is shown that a significant improvement in impact damage resistance can be achieved by integrating a rubber layer into a carbon/epoxy laminate. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.