Low velocity impact and compression after impact characterization of woven carbon/vinylester at dry and water saturated conditions

The low velocity impact response and compression after impact strength of dry and water saturated plain weave carbon/vinylester composites have been determined. The composites employed T700 carbon fibers and vinylester 510A and 8084 resins. Quasi-static impact tests were conducted on dry C/VE510A and C/VE8084 to estimate the threshold impact force required to initiate damage in the composites. Falling-weight impact tests were conducted on the composites over a range of impact energies from 6.7 to 47 J. Destructive inspection of damaged panels revealed damage in the form of matrix cracks as well as delamination between fiber bundles. The quasi-static estimation of the threshold impact force was in reasonable agreement with that measured in the impact test. To examine structural degradation due to impact loading, impacted panels were tested in compression (CAI). The CAI strength decreased with increasing impact energy. Absorbed moisture caused further reductions of the CAI strength.