Compression after high-velocity impact behavior of pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy embedded glass/epoxy composite laminates

Abstract

Abstract The compression after high-velocity impact (CAI) behavior of pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy (PE-SMA) embedded glass/epoxy composite laminates manufactured via vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) technique was investigated experimentally. High-velocity impact tests were performed on the glass/epoxy composites using an in-house build gas-gun set-up at four different velocities (70, 85, 95, and 105\xa0m/s). To elucidate, the series of damage events undergone on the composites under the high-velocity impact, a high-speed camera was used. Quasi-static compression-after-impact (CAI) tests were performed to evaluate the damage tolerance of different composites subjected to high-velocity impact. Real-time damage progression during the CAI as well as the extent of damage was characterized by using a 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. Three different types of embedment configurations of PE-SMA wire, namely, with length variation (35, 70, and 150\xa0mm) and also with and without anchors, were used. The impact test results show that the ballistic limit of anchored PE-SMA composites with an embedment length of 35\xa0mm is 72.72% higher than that of the homogeneous glass/epoxy composites. CAI results indicate that the PE-SMA based composites have better damage tolerance with respect to the homogeneous ones at 70\xa0m/s. In contrast, at higher velocities, the delamination area decreases in the homogenous glass/epoxy composites due to more localized damage and present a higher compressive strength.