Effects of Thickness and Temperature on the Residual Compressive Strength of Polyester S2 Glass Laminates Subjected to Low Energy Impact

摘要

Polyester/S2 glass laminates were subjected to low energy impact to determine damage levels andcorresponding residual compressive strengths. The composite laminates were fabricated at threethicknesses (0.5 inch thick, 0.625 inch thick, and 0.75 inch thick) and were 18 inch x 18 inch square.One third of the specimens from each thickness were conditioned at room temperature, one third wereconditioned at -65° F, and the remaining one third were conditioned at 175° F. Laminates were thenimpacted at 300 ft-lb., 550 ft-lb., and 800 ft-lb. at their respective conditioned temperatures.Non-destructive evaluation of the impacted laminates was conducted using thermography,ultrasonic inspection, and x-ray computed tomography (CT). Compression testing was thenperformed to determine residual strength of the laminates..