High speed impact properties of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites

Abstract

The carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites were prepared by the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. Effect of resin toughness and carbon fiber type on the high speed impact properties was investigated using the air cannon impact test. The effect of high speed impact damage on the residual compressive property of the composites was studied by the compression performance test of the samples which were impacted at high speed. The results demonstrate that the resin toughness can greatly reduce the internal damage degree of composite materials subjected to high speed impact, and can improve the anti-high speed impact property and residual compressive property of the composites. Also, the anti-high speed impact property of T700S carbon fiber reinforced composites is superior to that of the T800H carbon fiber reinforced composites. The results also indicate that failure modes are highly dependent on the impact velocity. Specifically, when the impact velocity is low, the composites appear a circular pit on the impact surface while the back surface appears a convex protrusion. Also, when the impact velocity is high, a circular hole is formed on the impact surface of composites, and the tearing fracture along the fiber direction is observed on the back surface.

Keywords

• resin transfer molding(RTM)
• carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites
• air cannon impact test
• anti-high speed impact property
• residual compressive property