The effect of impactor shape on the impact response of composite laminates

The effect of impactor shape on the impact response of thin woven carbon/epoxy laminates is investigated herein. Using a drop weight test rig, specimens were impacted at initial impact energies of 4J and 6J using steel hemispherical, ogival and conical impactors, all 12mm in diameter. The specimens impacted by the conical impactor absorbed most energy as a result of local penetration. The hemispherical impactor produced the highest peak force and lowest contact duration as expected. Only the hemispherical impactor at an initial impact energy of 4J produced barely visible impact damage (BVID) whereas the other impactor shapes produced permanent indentation and penetration. Destructive testing techniques are required to determine the internal damage mechanisms since non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques provided similar damage areas for the three impactor shapes. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.