Effects of Impactor Size on Impact Damage-Growth and Residual Properties in an SMC-R50 Composite

Abstract

An experimental investigation was carried out to study effects of impactor size on the damage-growth and the degree of damage in SMC-R50 composite plates. Plane- ended cylindrical steel impactors of 9.7 mm in diameter were chosen to inflict impact damage in the impact energy range from 15 to 52 N-m using a gas gun facility. The im pact velocity range was adjusted for each impactor corresponding to their sizes (25.4, 38.1 and 50.8 mm long) such that the impact energy levels can be maintained constant. The damage-zone size as well as the tensile strength and stiffness are found to be strongly dependent on the impactor size. Impact energy is found not to be a governing parameter for damage-growth and degree of damage that can take into account the im pactor size.