SEDL / STP / STP936-EB / STP19383S

Impact Characterization of New Composite Materials

Gause, LW
Aerospace engineer and materials engineer, Aircraft and Crew Systems Technology Directorate, Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, PA

Buckley, LJ
Aerospace engineer and materials engineer, Aircraft and Crew Systems Technology Directorate, Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, PA

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1986

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Abstract

Drop-weight instrumented impact tests were used in conjunction with ultrasonic C-scan inspection to characterize the impact responses of several new graphitefiber composite material systems. The AS4/Hercules 3501-6 graphite/epoxy was compared with the newer AS4/Hercules 2220-1, Celion high-strain/Narmco 5245 and IM6/Narmco 5245C systems in the 394 K (250°F) service category. The materials tested in the 450 K (350°F) service category were T300/Avco 130B, T300/Hexcel 81-5, T300/U.S. Polymeric V378A, XAS/Hysol 9101-3, and HX/Hexcel 1516 graphite/bismaleimides. A material ranking is given, along with measured impact parameters and impact energy versus damage relationships. The impact behavior of all four 394 K (250°F) systems was similar, except that IM6/5245C had the highest impact resistance. The bismaleimides had incipient damage levels similar to those of the epoxies but were more easily punctured. The impact resistance of the five 450 K (350°F) systems was similar except that T300/130B had the lowest impact resistance.