Impact Damage Resistance of Modified Prepreg Composites: an Experimental Research of Laminated Composites with Dispersed Core Shell Polymer Micro-particles into Ply Interfaces

Composite materials are being used extensively in many industries to build critical lightweight and cost-effective structures. One of the major drawbacks of laminated composites is their vulnerability to impact loads. As a consequence, a dramatic loss in the durability, structural integrity and residual strength occurs. In the present study, the effects of incorporating core shell polymer particles within interply interfaces on the impact response of CFRP and GFRP laminates are investigated. The results indicate that there is a significant improvement in impact load capacity with improved elastic energy absorption, lesser contact duration and lower extent of damage. All the observations of this investigation are discussed and presented with the obtained experimental data along with SEM pictures and photographs of the damage regions. A critical evaluation of alternative techniques to improve impact performance was included in the literature review. The experimental analysis presented in this book should be especially useful to students, researchers, engineers alike who are involved in the understanding of impact performance of laminated composites.