Impact damage to composite laminates: Effect of impact location

Abstract

Accidental impact loading of Composite laminates during manufacture and in-service can occur in different locations including near the edge or on the edge of a composite structure. This paper describes investigation of the effect of impact to composite laminates and compares the damage arising from central, near edge and on edge impact events. The damage tolerance of impact damaged laminates using both compression and tension tests has been measured. These results reveal the different damage mechanisms arising from different locations of impact. These different damage mechanisms have been investigated using X-Ray computed tomography. Impact on the edge of composite laminates is found to lead to smaller damage area, but more fibre failure; the severity of this damage is not revealed in standard compression after impact tests. © 2014 The Author(s).