Comparison of Low-Velocity Impact Damage Behavior of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

This paper investigates the damage behavior of thermoset and thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composites. The specimens were subjected to low-velocity impacts (LVI) to produce barely visible impact damages (BVID). To compare the dependency of the matrix system and the laminate lay-up on the impact damage, four test series were set up. Therefore, laminates with an epoxy (EP) and a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) matrix in a quasi-isotropic (QI) [+45/0/-45/90]2s and an orthotropic (OT) fiber lay-up [0/90]4s were manufactured. To eliminate the influence of variant fiber systems, the thermoplastic tape and the thermoset prepreg contain similar carbon fibers (CF). After impact testing with three different impact energies, inner damages were investigated by using ultrasonic analyses. To get a deeper understanding of the interior damage mechanisms, cross sections of the damaged areas were examined via reflected light microscopy. By using these destructive and non-destructive test methods, significant differences in the damage behavior of composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrix systems were identified for both laminate lay-ups.