A Study on Low Velocity Impact and Residual Compressive Strength for Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminate

탄소섬유/에폭시 복합적층판의 저속 충격 및 잔류 압축강도에 관한 연구

Damage induced by low velocity impact loading in aircraft composite laminates is the form of failure which is occurred frequently in aircraft. Low velocity impact can be caused either by maintenance accidents with tool drops or by in-flight impacts with debris. As the consequences of impact loading in composite laminates, matrix cracking, delamination and eventually fiber breakage for higher impact energies can be occurred. Even when no visible impact damage is observed, damage can exist inside of composite laminates and the carrying load of the composite laminates is considerably reduced. The reduction of strength and stiffness by impact loading occurs in compressive loading due to laminate buckling in the delaminated areas. The objective of this study is to determine inside damage of composite laminates by impact loading and to determine residual compressive strength and the damage growth mechanisms of impacted composite laminates. For this purpose a series of impact and compression after impact tests are carried out on composite laminates made of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix with lay up pattern of $[({\pm}45)(0/90)_2]s$ and $[({\pm}45)(0)_3(90)(0)_3({\pm}45)]$. UT-C scan is used to determine impact damage characteristics and CAI(Compression After Impact) tests are carried out to evaluate quantitatively reduction of compressive strength by impact loading.