Vol4 num4-10 Load rate influency over delamination failure in composites

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Impact is one of most critical stress over a structure, so as it induces a high strain rate on the material. Under low speed transverse impacts in composites, the secuence of material degradation is: intralaminar fracture of the matrix that does not mean a load bearing capacity decrease but makes it easier the starting of the seconf failure mode: the interlaminar failure of the matrix or delamination and, finally, the intralaminar failure of fibre. Delamination is one of the most critical failure mechanisms in composites because it means an important bearing capacity loss, It is quite difficult to detect visually and it's evolution determines the subsequent failure of the component. That behaviour depends on it's interlaminar fracture toughness. Nowadays there is not a general agreement over the dependency between interlaminar fracture toughness, in Modes I&II, and the strain rate. Nevertheless several biaxial equi energy impacts show that delaminated area increases as same as load rate application, so it is clear a dependency between fracture energy and load rate. This work shows the set-up and first results of a Mode I test using a drop weigth impact tester.