Comparison of damage resistance of CFRP lightweight panels

Impact tests have been conducted on a range of composite panels to explore the effect of fibre type and matrix for panels of two thicknesses and diameters. Backface crack length and projected delamination area growth rates were measured from the force-time relationships and normalised to the impact perforation energies to produce damage growth maps, and hence rank the materials. The importance of the resin system was identified with tow/fibre fractures significantly reduced for an enhanced -mixed mode behaviour.