An Investigation of the Effect of Low Velocity Impacts on P75/934 Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Abstract

The low velocity impact testing of the P75/934 laminate plates revealed that this graphite/epoxy composite system is damaged very easily by impact. Impact energies to initiate damage as low as 6 ft-lb per inch thickness of composite were measured in drop-weight-type impact tests with edge supported, clamped specimens. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques, in particular, ultrasonic C-scan and dye enhanced X-ray radiography, confirmed that the damaged area increased with increased impact energy. The surface damage to the composite was detected visually only upon close inspection. Another promising NDE technique that was used to detect the presence of damage was thermal acoustic emission testing. Further study of this technique would be worthwhile pursuing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA253342

Entities

People

  • G. F. Hawkins
  • J. N. Schurr
  • M. T. Quinn

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Emissions
  • Composite Materials
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Impact Tests
  • Inspection
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Physical Properties
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Materials science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.