Experimental investigation of low-velocity impact characteristics of woven glass fiber epoxy matrix composite laminates of EP3 grade

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation concerning the low-velocity impact behavior of woven glass fiber epoxy matrix composite laminates. Experimental test were performed according to ASTM standards using an instrumented falling weight impact testing machine. Impact test were conducted to characterize the type and extent of the damage observed in laminate for range of thickness subjected to different impact velocities. Correlation of the residual indentation of the impacted specimens provides a criterion for the extent of the damage. As the impact energy was increased, the samples experienced one of two types of damages: a crack from the center of the laminate to the edge, or significant damage consisting of a dent localized in the region of impact. The history of relevant kinematical, dynamic and energetic quantities, both to synthesize the dependency of the energy parameters and force threshold values on the impact velocity are discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.