Investigation of the dynamic response of continuous fibre reinforced composite laminates-failure morphology

By using the split Hopkinson pressure bar technique, impact tests were carried out on fully clamped three-point bending, laminated beam specimens made from continuous glass fibre and carbon fibre reinforced polyphenylene sulphide of three different lay-up sequences. This paper focuses on scanning electron microscope investigations of the impact failure morphology, with the aim of providing a phenomenological background for a new model which can describe the dynamic response behaviour during transverse impact, as well as understanding comprehensively the dominant failure patterns at high strain rate. The results show that the fracture morphology possesses distinct features for each type of laminate, and is a function of both the material characteristics and lay-up sequence. Fibre to matrix adhesion exerts a strong influence on the microcracking mechanism.