Abstract
Purpose of this study is to investigate the fracture mechanisms of shoulder part of composite pressure vessels subjected to impact loading. CFRP laminates simulating shoulder part of composite pressure vessels were fabricated by filament winding (FW) followed by vacuum assisted rein transfer molding (VaRTM) process, and an impact test were conducted on the specimen. A tensile test was also conducted on the specimen impacted to evaluate damage tolerance. The result suggests that the major impact damage for composite laminates occurred mainly in the matrix region, such as splittings. In some specimens fiber fracture were also observed. The tensile strength was obviously reduced by the application of impact.
