Experimental analysis of normal and oblique high velocity impacts on carbon/epoxy tape laminates

In this work, the effect of high velocity impacts on carbon/epoxy tape quasi-isotropic laminates is studied. Experimental test were carried out at two different impact angles and in a wide range of velocities (from 80 to 490 m/s). Both parameters, the residual velocity and the damaged area, are used to evaluate the effect of the kinetic energy of the projectile on the laminate response. In addition it has been proposed a simplified analytical model which allows to identify the different energy absorbtion mechanisms and predict the residual velocity of the projectile. Finally the energy absorbed by the laminate during the impact is studied.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Ed- ucation under Project reference DPI2010-15123 and of the Region of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid under Project reference CCG10-UC3M/DPI-4694