Net shape manufacturing and the performance of polymer composites under dynamic loads

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the influence of postmold trimming and resultant edge quality on the performance of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) under dynamic loads. Graphite/epoxy and graphite/bismaleimide laminates were machined using three state-of-the-art industrial techniques and subjected to three-point bend impact to failure. The load load-line displacement records were used to obtain the load, bend deflection and energy absorbed to fracture. High-speed photography was also employed to identify the initiation and progression of failure and record the time dependent fracture process. From a comparison of edge quality and subsequent material performance for both polymeric composites, it was found that the impact response of FRPs is highly process dependent. In general, the load and energy absorbed to fracture decreases with increasing surface roughness. Reductions in the load and energy to the onset of fracture with degrading surface quality were as high as 20 percent. The dynamic response was also found to be dependent on the constituents, stacking sequence and impact velocity.