Dynamic Compressive Strength and Failure of Steel Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Results of an experimental program systematically evaluating the deformation and fracture of steel wire reinforced epoxy composite systems are presented. The program involved mechanical testing in the strain rate range 10^-5 to 10³/sec and impact testing of composite specimens using massive elastic targets at strain rates approximately 10⁴/sec. Specific results presented include static and dynamic prop erties, strain rate sensitivity, information on the nature and character of dynamic fracture, influence of specimen geometry and reinforce ment spacing, and high speed photographs of dynamic failure modes. Further, a simplified energy criterion is proposed for predicting failure modes and critical velocities.