High Strain-Rate Compressive Characteristics of Carbon/Epoxy Laminated Composites in Through-Thickness Direction

Compressive stress-strain characteristics of carbon/epoxy laminated composites in the through-thickness direction at strain rates of over 1000/s were evaluated using the standard split Hopkinson pressure bar. Three carbon/epoxy laminated composites (i.e., unidirectional, cross-ply and woven) with almost the same thickness were tested at room temperature. Small solid cylindrical specimens were machined such that the direction of the compression loading was perpendicular to the fiber direction of the laminates. The effects of strain rate and reinforcement geometry on the secant modulus at 1% strain, ultimate compressive strength and strain, and total strain energy to failure were examined in detail.