Influence of indenter dimension on composite laminate low velocity impact test

In the present work the low velocity impact of composite laminate have been considered and in particular the influence of the indenter dimensions have been studied in terms of material damage. Experimental tests have been developed using quasi-isotropic composite laminate and hemispherical tools with two different diameter have been used as indenter. The tests have been monitored by acoustic emission (AE) and the mechanical results, in terms of stiffness energy, Estiff, have been combined with the AE information, in terms of acoustic event energy, Eac, in order to calculate a material damage parameter. Results showed that the indenter of higher diameter induce a damage In the low velocity impact test