Shock Wave Propagation in Unidirectional CFRP at Different Orientations

Abstract This paper presents the shock response of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymer (UD CFRP) with two distinct fibre orientations, when subjected to plate-impact experiments. Samples of CFRP were prepared with fibres aligned at 0° and 90° relative to the direction of impact, where 0° represents fibres parallel to the impact trajectory. The study reveals the initiation and progression of a shock front within the CFRP composites. Significantly, the 0° oriented samples exhibited elevated transmitted shock wave amplitudes and velocities in comparison to the 90° samples, under identical conditions of impact velocity, sample thickness, and flyer material. This suggests that the shock wave’s behaviour is markedly affected by the fibre orientation. Additionally, a dual-wave structure was detected in the 0° samples, characterized by a leading wave propagating at the longitudinal sound speed of the composite, followed by a slower-moving shock front.