The influence of temperature on the impact behavior of unidirectional glass fiber‐epoxy composite

Abstract The influence of temperature on the impact behavior of unidirectional glass fiber‐epoxy composite was studied in the range of −20 and 150°C using a 3‐point drop weight test at a constant impact velocity of 2.2 m/s (5 mph). The impact energy per unit deformed volume was found to be very sensitive to the ratio length/thickness of the specimens. When the ratio was 4, the impacted specimens exhibited extensive delamination (shear failure) and the energy absorbed by the composite was about 14 MJ/m³ between −20 and 100°C, and 18 MJ/m³ at 150°C. At length/thickness above 16 the failure was mostly in tension, and the impact energy approached a constant value of about 3.5 MJ/m³, independent of temperature.