Low velocity impact of spectra / carbon fiber laminates under variable temperatures

Impact properties, at varied temperatures, of carbon fiber and Spectra® 1000 combination laminate composites were investigated in this study. The focus of this research was to determine if any improvement in impact properties existed as a result of replacing one and two impact-side layers of carbon fiber with Spectra. Tests were conducted on different samples and sample types to obtain information about absorbed energy and maximum impact force at impact energies between 10J and 25J. Temperature effects were studied by conducting impact tests on similar samples at temperatures varying from -50°C to 125°C. The data collected helps to determine the advantages and disadvantages of replacing carbon fiber with Spectra. Temperature testing results showed that impact properties are dependent on temperature and room temperature testing is not sufficient to fully understand laminate composite properties.