Thermal analysis of impact damage of prepreg composite materials

Abstract

Composite materials are employed in industry at a high rate, and the demand is increasing. Recently, prepreg carbon and aramid-carbon composite structures, when compared to carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, have attracted increasing attention due to their better impact damage resistance. In order to characterize the material, impact test according to EN DIN 6038 was carried out including infrared acquisition of impact. Based on the cooled MW InSb detector IR camera, the spread of damage was observed during impact test.