Response of glass/carbon hybrid composites subjected to repeated low velocity impacts.

This work investigated the effect of repeated low-velocity impacts at different energy levels on vinyl ester composite laminates. In particular, hybrid composite laminates made by carbon woven fabric and glass woven fabric impregnated by vinyl ester resin were subjected to 1, 5 and 10 impacts for three different energy levels (U=5 J, 10 J and 20 J). The multi-impact damage evolution was studied by combining several non-destructive techniques such as Pulsed Thermography, Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry and Ultrasonic C-scanning. Along with images of detected damaged areas, some impact parameters such as contact force, deflection and absorbed energy were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]