Damage modes in impact loading of glass woven fabric composites

Instrumented impact test was used to assess the impact performance of E-glass woven fabric reinforced vinyl ester matrix composites. Evaluation of the damages with the aid of optical microscopy revealed substantial differences in the shape, mode and area of damage between the front and hack surfaces of impact and between laminates with different fibre surface treatments. Apart from the extensive delamination in the central damage region, interface debonding occurred along the warp and weft directions in the surrounding regions near the back face of impact which contributed significantly to the total damage area of the laminate