A new device for determining the compression after impact strength in thin laminates

In this work a new device has been developed to estimate compression-after-impact (CAI) strength. This device allows the testing of laminates thinner than those recommended by CAI test standards. The proposed device is composed of a support structure, with a set of vertical ribs that stabilize the specimen during the test, increasing the buckling load. A numerical analysis was made to ensure that global buckling does not occur in the laminate during the CAI test, and that there is no interference with the damage area. Laminate specimens were tested with the proposed device and the ASTM device. For specimens 4.416 mm thick (thickness according to ASTM D7137 standard), the test results were similar with both devices. For thinner laminates, higher CAI strength was estimated with the proposed device than with the ASTM device, showing that the global buckling was delayed.