RESIDUAL STRENGTH OF A GLASS POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE-MATERIAL SUBJECTED TO IMPACT

Fibre/matrix adhesion and fibre length have a significant effect on th e impact behaviour and the residual resistance of thermoplastic compos ites. A comparison between virgin materials and impacted materials at different speeds is given in terms of results from tensile and loading /unloading tensile tests. A parameter is proposed in which the impact rate transmitted to the materials is quantified in terms of the maximu m load applied during impact. The damage generated is evaluated throug h measurements of elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio in tensile tests. The use of acoustic emission and microscopic observations has been ne cessary to identify the sources of damage.