Study on the Damage Regulation Mechanism of Low-Velocity Impact in CF/PA6 Laminates with Pre-Embedded Interlaminar Defect

TL;DR

This study explores how embedding defects in thermoplastic composites can improve their impact resistance and damage behavior.

Contribution

The study introduces pre-embedded interlaminar defects to enhance the pseudo-ductility of thermoplastic composites under impact.

Findings

Embedded defects shift failure mode from brittle fracture to progressive damage.

Specimens with defects showed higher flexural stiffness under low-energy impact.

Delamination and sliding reduced fiber breakage and dissipated impact energy.

Abstract

Thermoplastic carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites possess the intrinsic capability to heal delamination and matrix cracks via thermal re-melting. However, under impact loading, they are prone to severe fiber fracture, which significantly compromises their repairability. To address this, this study introduced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films as pre-set interlaminar defects within continuous carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 (CF/PA6) thermoplastic cross-ply laminates. Low-velocity impact tests were conducted at varying energy levels to comparatively investigate the impact response and damage mechanisms of the CFRPs with and without embedded defects. Experimental results indicate that the embedded interlaminar defects triggered a transition in the failure mode of the CFRP from brittle fracture to progressive damage behavior. Compared to the baseline laminates, the specimens with embedded defects maintained higher flexural stiffness under low-energy impact. Furthermore, they effectively reduced the extent of fiber breakage by dissipating impact kinetic energy through extensive delamination, interlaminar frictional sliding, and plastic micro-deformation. These findings verify the feasibility of achieving macroscopic pseudo-ductility through interlaminar microstructural tailoring. This research provides an experimental basis and methodological support for the pseudo-ductile design of thermoplastic composites.

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