Instrumented Impact Testing of Composite Materials

Abstract

One material characteristic that is gaining increased importance in composite materials is their impact resistance. The test method has been widely accepted in the aerospace industry for determining a degree of 'toughness' is the instrumented impact test followed by post-impact compression testing. This combination of tests is called compression after impact (CAI) testing. Two aspects that are important to the results are the energy absorbed during the impact test and the resultant compression strength after impact. This paper discusses the instrumentation developed to record the impact event. The hardware and software are presented with a detailed description of the algorithms used for the determination of the energy absorbed by the composite from the impact testing. Sample results from the impact testing are presented, along with a discussion of their results. Instrumented impact testing, Composite materials, Graphite-epoxy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA203842

Entities

People

  • Roger M. Crane
  • Thomas D. Juska

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aerospace Industry
  • Algorithms
  • Classification
  • Composite Materials
  • Compression
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Acquisition
  • Energy Levels
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Impact Tests
  • Instrumentation
  • Materials
  • Materials Engineering
  • Materials Testing
  • Test Methods

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space