Dynamic crush tests of energy-absorbing laminated composite plates

For the first time, dynamic crush data of edgewise-loaded composite plates are presented. A crush test fixture for flat composite specimens, initially developed to measure quasi-static crush response, has been adapted for use in a drop tower to measure dynamic crush response. The influence on energy absorption of stacking sequence, trigger mechanism and thickness was evaluated for three material systems: APC-2 (graphite/thermoplastic), AS-4/3502...