Exploding wire method for the characterization of dynamic tensile strength of composite materials

Abstract

In the presented study a wire electric explosion method is adopted for the shock loading test of wound T700/LY113 carbon/epoxy composite. The advantage of the proposed test method is a possibility to reach strain rate ∼104 s−1, exceeding upper limit of split Hopkinson pressure bar, but matching lower limits of plate impact test. Compared to the latter test method, a promising feature is a capability to measure in-plane tensile strength of the laminated composite. To implement the proposed method, test samples were fabricated by winding of carbon fiber layers over a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cylinder. Electric explosion of wire inserted in the channel inside the cylinder generates a shock wave, which propagates towards the outer composite shell, and free surface velocity history is recorded using a laser interferometer. It allows estimation of failure strain and tensile strength of the composite in circumferential direction. However, incident shock wave and reverberations are also critical for out-of-plane strength, including delamination, so finite element analysis is used to elaborate what type of failure mode is critical.