The response of hybrid laminated composite plates subjected to low vel
ocity impact was investigated using shear deformation theory. As a res
ult, the fractional energy loss of two hybrid composite plates with th
e same component ratio has different values according to the stacking
sequence. A Graphite-Kevlar-Graphite plate has low energy loss and a K
evlar-Graphite-Kevlar plate much higher energy loss. Contact forces be
tween the impactor and plates, center deflections of the plates and ve
locity changes of the impactor to time have different values according
to the material properties of the impacted surface. Various composite
plates with the same material in the impacted surface behaved with a
similar response. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.