Damage Characterization of Repeatedly Impacted Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester-Armor Steel Composites With Cone Beam Computed Tomography Technique

This article utilizes the characterization of single and repeated low velocity impact damage behavior of glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) armor steel composite. Cone beam computed tomography technique (CBCT) was used for damage assessment. Impact energies, maximum loads and the permanent deflection of GFRP, armor steel composites are determined with instrumented drop weight impact test machine. The repeated impact performance and damage resistance were evaluated. On the other hand, preliminary single impact loading tests also performed in order to find the energy levels, which were ranged fully elastic energy level to perforation energy level for GFRP, armor steel composites. Additionally, CBCT was used to provide a novel, multiscale approach for assessing impact damage. Deformation areas of both single and repeatedly impacted GFRP, armor steel composites were assessed three-dimensionally by CBCT. An innovative approach was used to visualize the internal damages. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers