In situ capture of impact-induced progressive damage and delamination in fiberglass composite laminate with a high-speed optical imaging method

Abstract

Delamination is one of the severest failure modes for laminated composite materials during applications, especially when the composites are subjected to dynamic loading like impact. The impact-induced delamination patterns in laminates have been studied before but the progressive delamination evolution during the impact process has rarely been revealed through experimental testing. Capturing the real-time delamination progression is of great significance for understanding the fundamentals of the composite performance and damage resistance during the dynamic loading process. This study investigates the feasibility of using a high-speed optical imaging method for in-situ capturing the impact-induced progressive damage and delamination evolution in fiberglass composite laminate [0/90/0/…]13. The progressive delamination areas are further quantified through a sequential series of captured images using a custom algorithm. The relations between the progressive delamination evolution and the real-time absorbed energy, as well as the impact force and deflection, have been investigated. This study provides insights into the experimental testing method of dynamic damage and failure process in materials and structures.