Investigation of damage mechanisms in 3D interlock textile composites under low velocity soft impact loading

Abstract

Performances of a three-dimensional (3-D) woven composites subjected to impact loading are investigated in this study. Low velocity (lower than 10 m.s-1) impacts with largely deformable rubber impactors are adressed. Variability issues by performing repeated impact tests in the same conditions and the mass velocity effect on damage tolerance by varying the impact conditions are the main points of interest. Force-time and force-displacement curves and damage mechanisms observed on micrographies are particularly commented.