Damage of scarf-repaired composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impacts

Abstract

Abstract. The damage characters of scarf repaired composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impact with various energy levels at different locations are studied experimentally. The results are compared with those of the original laminates which have no initial damage and don’t need repair. The impact load-time history of the specimens, the velocity-time curves of the impactor, the post impact compressive strength of the specimens and the C-scan photographs of the damaged regions are obtained. The delamination threshold load and damage character of the specimen section at impact point are also studied. The results have shown that the impact response of a repaired composite laminate is sensitive to the location of the impact. The impact load and the delamination threshold load have shown different characters for specimens with different impact locations. The debonding characters of the adhesive and compressive strength after impact of the specimens are also influenced by impact locations.