Dynamic damage characteristic of CFRP target by Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake impact at high speed

The development of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has revolutionized the light-weight protection materials industry. In the field of aviation, understanding the damage characteristics of CFRP under high-speed impacts is vital to design aero turbofan engines with lightweight fan cases. This study uses a refined solid model of CFRP laminates created by TexGen. ABAQUS/Explicit and VUMAT user subroutine were used to simulate the failure process of CFRP laminates caused by ballistic impact experiments. The study performs a detailed analysis of data recorded during the experiment conducted where Ti-6Al-4V alloy flakes impacted CFRP laminates at velocities ranging from 156.9 m s−1 to 297 m s−1 using a light gas gun. Image recordings through high-speed cameras and 3D-DIC help identify macroscopic damage characteristics like morphology and strain of CFRP laminates. Reliability of numerical simulations was verified via dynamic strain time history curves, scanning electron microscope microstructure images and damage element morphology. Deformation processes such as matrix cracking, fiber pull-out, and delamination play a crucial role in absorbing most of the initial kinetic energy of Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake, and therefore protect the laminate. Given our findings combined with the deformation characteristics and energy absorption mechanism of ballistic impacts, a reliable numerical simulation method for the damage characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake penetrating CFRP laminates is presented that provides a basis for designing composite case containment systems.