Response of 3D woven composites under low velocity impact with different impactor geometries

Abstract

This paper deals with experimental and numerical investigations into the impactor shape effects on the low velocity impact behavior of 3D woven composites. The samples were made of E-glass fibers and unsaturated polyester resin. Conical, hemispherical and flat-ended impactors were used. The damage modes and areas of the specimens are inspected using microscopic and optical images. The finite element package ABAQUS is used to simulate the impact event. The contact force, displacement and dissipated energy of different impactors are compared. A good agreement between experimental and numerical results is observed. The results show that the blunter impactors produce greater damage areas and threshold loads. However, the damage initiation time is not dependent to the impactor shape. Besides, the damage intensity of the composites is greatly influenced by the impactor shape and z-fibers volume fraction.