The role of particle-toughening in improving post-impact compressive strength

This work investigates the micromechanisms associated with particle-toughening strategies to improve the damage resistant and damage tolerant performance in carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. Five material systems were studied; consisting of one untoughened and four particle-toughened systems. Synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) was used to study the damage micromechanisms in standard 150mm x 100 mm rectangular coupons subjected to 30 J low velocity impact loading. Laboratory based micro-focus computed tomography (?CT) enabled damage assessments and comparison of coupons subjected to low velocity impact, quasi-static indentation and at the onset of compression-after-impact failure. Mechanisms leading to damage resistance and damage tolerance are discussed along with strategies to use these observations to inform finite element models.