SEDL / STP / STP1012-EB / STP10425S

Impact Damage Characteristics of Bismaleimides and Thermoplastic Composite Laminates

Dan-Jumbo, E
Composite Structural Certification and Analysis, General Dynamics, Fort Worth, TX

Leewood, AR
Vice president, Advanced Composite Engineering, West Lafayette, IN

Sun, CT
Professor, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Pages: 17    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

Impact damage in laminates of four different composite systems was investigated. These composite systems included two thermoplastic-based composites (PEEK and Torlon) and two epoxy-based composites (toughened and brittle BMIs). At low impact ve locities, PEEK (polyetheretherketone) and Torlon composites showed significantly less matrix cracking and delamination and greater strength retention capability than the two epoxy-based composites. However, beyond a certain threshold velocity, the thermoplastic composites experienced a sudden drop in flexural strength, more so than the epoxy-based composites.Between the two epoxy-based systems, the toughened BMI composite exhibited much better impact resistance properties.