Multi-scale 3D imaging of carbon fibre laminate impact and compression after impact damage using computed tomography and laminography

3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) was used to study the effects of particle toughening within unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials subjected to impact damage, followed by ex situ CT of compression after impact (CAI) tests at incremental loads. A multi-scale approach utilizing synchrotron radiation CT and laminography was used to study the damage micro-mechanisms of impact-loaded specimens, and micro-focus CT (?CT) assessed damage at meso- and macro-scopic levels. For the ex situ compression after impact testing, plates were CT scanned after progressively larger compressive loads were applied. Particle toughening processes were observed, with damage growth and micro-buckling events being captured close to the final failure in the CAI test.