Comparing damage from low-velocity impact and quasi-static indentation in automotive carbon/epoxy and glass/polyamide-6 laminates

• Published in: Polymer testing Vol. 65; pp. 231 - 241
• Main Authors: Spronk, S.W.F., Kersemans, M., De Baerdemaeker, J.C.A., Gilabert, F.A., Sevenois, R.D.B., Garoz, D., Kassapoglou, C., Van Paepegem, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Barking Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Automotive glass; Carbon; Carbon-epoxy composites; Crashworthiness; Hardness tests; Impact damage; Impact strength; Indentation; Laminates; Low-velocity impact; Optical microscopy; Polyamide resins; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Polymers; Quasi-static indentation; Ultrasonics; Optical microscopy; Low-velocity impact; Quasi-static indentation; Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Ultrasonics
• ISSN: 0142-9418; 1873-2348
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2017.11.023

The results of a low-velocity impact programme on both carbon/epoxy and glass/polyamide-6 composite laminates are compared to the results of quasi-static indentation. Cross-ply and quasi-isotropic stacking sequences are impacted and quasi-static indentation tests are performed up to the same maximum displacement. The response of the laminates to both test methods is compared in terms of force-displacement behaviour, dissipated energy and resulting damage. Significant differences between low-velocity impact and quasi-static indentation are found for both material systems. It is therefore concluded that the test methods cannot be interchanged for material characterisation. •Quasi-static indentation is evaluated as alternative to low-velocity impact testing.•Carbon/epoxy and glass/polyamide-6, both cross-ply and quasi-isotropic are assessed.•Comparison of force-displacement response, dissipated energy and resulting damage.•Three different C-scanning techniques and micrographic damage analysis are applied.•The two test methods cause significantly different damage in material configurations.