Effects of the Contact Geometry on High Strain Rate Behavior of Woven Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Effects of the contact geometry on high strain rate failure behavior of woven graphite/epoxy composites are presented. Compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar was used for high strain rate experiments. Woven graphite/epoxy composites were loaded transversely using two different contact geometries at the impact energies of 67 J and 163 J. It is observed that smaller contact area gives higher damage, resulting in higher energy absorption, elastic modulus and strain rate and peak stress in the specimens.