IMPACTOR SHAPE EFFECT ON LOW VELOCITY IMPACT RESPONSE OF WOVEN GLASS EPOXY COMPOSITES

This study deals with the effect of impactor shape on the impact response of plain woven glass-epoxy laminates. Impact tests were performed by using Fractovis Plus test machine with seven different impactor noses grouped as hemispherical, conical and flat. Specimens were impacted at low (5 J) to high energy levels (45 J) enough to obtain perforation of the composite at the room temperature. Variation of the impact characteristics such as maximum contact load, maximum deflection, total contact time and absorbed energy versus impact energy are depicted in Fig. Results indicated that the projectile shape highly affects the impact response of composite materials.