The equivalence of quasi-static indentation and low-velocity impact loading regimes has been assessed for composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Test specimens were assessed in detail in terms of the force–displacement response,… Click to show full abstract
The equivalence of quasi-static indentation and low-velocity impact loading regimes has been assessed for composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Test specimens were assessed in detail in terms of the force–displacement response, and micro-focus computed tomography was used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the associated damage to the constituent materials/interfaces. The results show that the force–displacement response follows an essentially similar pattern between the two loading regimes (within 10% for all cases). Quantitative assessment of the projected composite damage area and permanent deformation of the aluminium substrate as a function of peak indentor displacement also showed a high degree of equivalence between the loading regimes. It is concluded that quasi-static indentation represents a usable analogue for mechanistic assessment of low-velocity impact damage in the tested composite overwrapped pressure vessels.
               
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