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 4 J and 6 J using steel hemispherical, ogival and conical impactors, all 12 mm 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 4 J 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.