Study of Preloading Effect on Response of Composite Panels toward Ballistic Impact Loading

Composite structures are susceptible to impact damage during manufacture, maintenance and in use. This paper describes the influence of tension/compression and hybrid preloading on the high velocity impact performance of E-glass/polyester plates in velocity range of 185 to 235m/s. Six layered [0/90]6 composite panels were made with hand layup method. An experimental device was developed to apply the preloading in biaxial directions. This device was used simultaneously with a gas gun to carry out impact tests. Spherical hard body projectiles were used to generate impact damages under four different states of preloading and three different velocities in the range of 185–235 m/s. Result showed the ballistic resistance of sample with different preloading condition decreases compared to no load condition. Less variation were observed in energy absorption at upper velocity range tested (235m/s) for all boundary conditions. Delamination with fiber fracture constituted the major fracture modes.