A review: Impact damage of composite materials

Composites are increasingly being used in structural applications by the military, aerospace, transportation and infrastructure sectors. The impact response of laminated polymer matrix composite materials has received significant attention in the last two decades. In recent years, the increased use of composites in battlefield and rapid-fire scenarios warranted investigations of their response, not only to single isolated events, but multi-site and often simultaneous impacts. Most of the studies reported in open literature addressed isolated, single point impact conditions, while a limited number of studies published addressed multiple impacts on composite laminates. The development of new composite material architectures such as innovative performs and three-dimensional fabrics necessitate continued investigations into mechanics and mechanisms of impact-induced failure in this new class of materials. This paper provides a comprehensive update of recent literature, building upon previous reviews on related topics by Cantwell and Morton (1991), Abrate (1998), and Reid and Zhou (2000). The impact response of polymer matrix composites subjected to single and multiple impact scenarios has been considered. Studies addressing multiple impact test methods and numerical modeling developments on metallic, concrete, and composite structures are discussed. Highlights of impact response, failure and energy absorption mechanisms in composite laminates as well as stress and shock wave effects are also provided.