Impactor diameter effect on low velocity impact response of woven glass epoxy composite plates

In this study, the effect of impactor diameter on the impact response of woven glass-epoxy laminates has been investigated. Impact tests were performed by using Fractovis Plus test machine with four different impactor nose diameters as 12.7, 20.0, 25.4 and 31.8 mm. Specimens were impacted at various impact energies ranging from 5 J to perforation thresholds of the composite at room temperature. Variation of the impact characteristics such as the maximum contact load, maximum deflection, maximum contact time and absorbed energy versus impact energy are investigated. Results indicated that the projectile diameter highly affects the impact and Compression After Impact (CAI) response of composite materials. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved