Effect of ply blocking on the high-speed impact performance of thin-ply CFRP laminates. (29th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, J.L.; Zhi, J.; Wong, H.L.; Sugeng, E.S.; Tay, T.E.; Tan, V.B.C.
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 228(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-29
• Subjects: Carbon fibres -- Impact behavior -- Finite element analysis (FEA) -- Damage mechanics -- Thin ply laminate; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109640
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: Although studies have shown ply blocking in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) improves their resistance to fiber damage and affect their mechanical behavior under different loading conditions, the effect of ply blocking on high-speed impact of CFRP laminates is rarely investigated. Through a combined experimental and numerical study, it is shown that ply blocking significantly affects the ballistic limit and modes of damage of thin-ply CFRP laminates. Two competing mechanisms are observed - as the level of ply blocking increases, resistance to fiber damage increases but it becomes easier for projectiles to slip through between fibers of ply clusters at the back face of the laminates. Consequently, the perforation energy of laminates initially increases as the level of ply blocking increases. The increase in perforation energy peaks at 64%. With further increase in ply blocking, the perforation energy drops. Excessive ply blocking allows projectiles to slip through between the fibers without breaking them. A new laminate layup was designed to mitigate the effects of the various damage modes. Its perforation energy is measured to be twice that of laminates without ply blocking. Graphical abstract: Image 1