Impact response of tough carbon fibre composites

Abstract The impact damage response of new tough carbon fibre composite systems was investigated. The low velocity impact damage tolerances of crystalline thermoplastic and toughened epoxy matrix composites are compared and contrasted for two different stacking sequences and target geometries. Impact damage development is described and damage tolerance is assessed in terms of residual tensile and compressive strengths. Comments on energy absorption are made in the comparison of the impact responses of the composite systems. Caution is advised in extrapolating the results from low velocity (drop-weight) to high velocity impact cases.