Low-velocity impact and compression-after-impact behaviors of S2-glass/epoxy laminated composites under impact loading at low temperatures

This study presents the effects of temperature, impact energy, and specimen thickness on low-velocity impact (LVI) and compression-after-impact (CAI) behaviors of composites. LVI tests were conducted by an impact test machine at 20 degrees C and low temperatures. CAI tests were applied to the specimens at 20 degrees C. Studies have revealed that a drop in temperature results in an up to 40% increase in maximum contact force. Impact damage increases significantly as impact energy increases for thick specimens. The strength of CAI reduces with a drop in temperature and an increase in impact energy while increasing with a rise in thickness.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of temperature, impact energy, and specimen thickness on the low-velocity impact and compression-after-impact behaviors of composites. The results show that a decrease in temperature leads to an increase in maximum contact force, and thick specimens experience more impact damage as the impact energy increases. The strength of compression-after-impact decreases with temperature drop and impact energy increase, while it increases with specimen thickness.