An experimental study of dynamic delamination of thick fiber reinforced polymeric matrix composites

Dynamic delamination of thick fiber reinforced polymeric matrix composite laminates is investigated using optical techniques and high-speed photography. The laminates used in this work are graphite/epoxy fiber reinforced, 65 percent fiber volume fraction, composite plates consisting of 48 plies (6 mm plate thickness). Two different laminate layups are tested: a quasi-isotropic arrangement and a unidirectional arrangement. The experimental setup consists of 152 mm x 152 mm square plates impact loaded in an out-of-plane configuration using a high-speed gas gun. Impact speeds range from 1 m/s to 30 m/s. Real-time imaging of the laminate out-of-pane displacement is performed using the lateral shearing interferometer of coherent gradient sensing (CGS) in conjunction with high-speed photography. Onset of dynamic delamination can be observed, and quantities such as delamination speeds (in some cases up to 1800 m/s) are measured and reported. A brief comparison is made with dynamic fracture experiments of the same material conducted in a separate study.