Low Velocity Impact Behavior of SiC/PU/GFRP Laminates

This paper discusses the energy absorption during low velocity impact on target with combinations of PU foam, SiC inserts/plate bonded to GFRP composite backing. SiC inserts and SiC plates are bonded as front layer to enhance energy absorption. Low velocity impact is conducted by using drop mass set-up and mild steel spherical nosed impactor is used for impact testing of target in fixed boundary conditions. Failure in the case of SiC inserts is local as only the insert under the impact is damaged and nearby areas are intact. However, in the other cases, the SiC plate is damaged along with fiber failure and delamination on the composite backing layer. It is observed that the energy absorbed by SiC plate is higher than that absorbed by SiC inserts layered target.