Abstract
Delamination mechanisms and energy dissipation of carbon fibre epoxy composites under impact and high strain rate conditions are studies in terms of a new experimental set-up. The test set-up is designed to separate the Mode-I, -II and mixed mode delamination resistance so that relevant mechanisms can be studied in greater detail. The impact specimens consist of 18 × 18 mm laminated composite pieces bonded to steel bars to form the impact specimens with the normal Charpy and Izod specimen geometry. The impact energy dissipation is recorded and taken as a dynamic delamination toughness measurement, and the transition from the pure Mode-I to Mode-II through the mixed mode delamination is measured. Detailed delamination surface examinations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that different failure mechanisms are involved in the dynamic and usual quasi-static delamination processes. The influence of chopped Kevlar fibres used as low cost interlaminar reinforcement on the energy dissipation is also studied.
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