Influence of the elastomer layer position on the low velocity impact behavior of composite/steel/elastomer laminates

Abstract

The influence of the elastomer layer position in a composite/steel/elastomer hybridmaterial structure on the low-velocity impact behaviour is investigated in the presented study. Three different layer positions were investigated regarding their influence on the indentation depth and delaminations as well as the impact force evolution. It could be found that the positioning of the elastomer layer in the center plane of the CFRP support structure minimizes the destruction of internal and external damage because of a reduction of the stiffness. When the elastomer layer is located near the impacted surface, the surface damage through indentation is the predominant damage type caused by plastic deformation of the covering steel layer.