Experimental study of the impact behavior of laminated composites stricken by sharp impactors

Abstract In this study, the influence of the impactor shape on the dynamic response of E-glass/epoxy laminates was investigated. Composite samples were impacted using steel 90° and 120° conical, 24 mm and 12 mm in diameter hemispherical, pyramidal impactors via a specially developed drop weight test machine. The impact tests were performed at impactor mass (20 kg) for impact velocity (2.5 m/s). Plate specimens consisting of 18 plies for tests (180×50 mm) with a nominal thickness (7 mm) were used. Contact force-time and contact force-deflection data obtained from the experiments were interpreted. It was found that the contact force was smaller in the 90° conical impactor while it was bigger in the 24 mm hemispherical one. Absorbed energies were also investigated. The absorbed energy obtained for pyramidal impactor was greater than that of the others. Furthermore, overall damage areas caused by the impactor were evaluated.