Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils

The use of composite materials in aerospace structures has led to significant weight reductions and improved performance. However, their behavior under low-energy impact remains a critical concern due to the potential initiation of barely visible damage. This study investigates the crack initiation...

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Main Authors: Ilse Jauregui Bogarin, Virginia G. Angel, Miriam Siqueiros Hernández, Emmanuel Santiago Durazo Romero, Hernán D. Magaña-Almaguer, Lidia Esther Vargas Osuna, Benjamín González Vizcarra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Fibers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/67
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author Ilse Jauregui Bogarin
Virginia G. Angel
Miriam Siqueiros Hernández
Emmanuel Santiago Durazo Romero
Hernán D. Magaña-Almaguer
Lidia Esther Vargas Osuna
Benjamín González Vizcarra
author_facet Ilse Jauregui Bogarin
Virginia G. Angel
Miriam Siqueiros Hernández
Emmanuel Santiago Durazo Romero
Hernán D. Magaña-Almaguer
Lidia Esther Vargas Osuna
Benjamín González Vizcarra
author_sort Ilse Jauregui Bogarin
collection DOAJ
description The use of composite materials in aerospace structures has led to significant weight reductions and improved performance. However, their behavior under low-energy impact remains a critical concern due to the potential initiation of barely visible damage. This study investigates the crack initiation mechanisms in composite airfoil profiles subjected to low-energy impact, simulating real-world scenarios such as hail or bird strikes. Two types of airfoil profiles were fabricated using bidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with epoxy resin and tested under ASTM D7136 impact conditions. Tensile tests following ASTM D3039 were conducted to assess post-impact mechanical behavior. The damage patterns were analyzed using high-resolution microscopy and non-destructive inspection techniques. Results revealed that damage severity and propagation depend on impact energy levels and airfoil geometry, with SC(2)-0714 exhibiting better impact resistance than GOE777-IL. Microscopic analysis confirmed that delamination initiated at 45° fiber orientations, expanding along interlaminar regions, while airfoil curvature influenced the impact energy dissipation.
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series Fibers
spelling doaj-art-6852aa21e32d49adbc4c2f94d4e48eae2025-08-20T01:56:19ZengMDPI AGFibers2079-64392025-05-011356710.3390/fib13050067Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material AirfoilsIlse Jauregui Bogarin0Virginia G. Angel1Miriam Siqueiros Hernández2Emmanuel Santiago Durazo Romero3Hernán D. Magaña-Almaguer4Lidia Esther Vargas Osuna5Benjamín González Vizcarra6Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, MexicoFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, MexicoFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, MexicoFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, MexicoIT de Mexicali, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Mexicali 21376, Baja California, MexicoFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Baja California, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería y Tecnología FCITEC, Unidad Valle de las Palmas, Tijuana 21500, Baja California, MexicoThe use of composite materials in aerospace structures has led to significant weight reductions and improved performance. However, their behavior under low-energy impact remains a critical concern due to the potential initiation of barely visible damage. This study investigates the crack initiation mechanisms in composite airfoil profiles subjected to low-energy impact, simulating real-world scenarios such as hail or bird strikes. Two types of airfoil profiles were fabricated using bidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with epoxy resin and tested under ASTM D7136 impact conditions. Tensile tests following ASTM D3039 were conducted to assess post-impact mechanical behavior. The damage patterns were analyzed using high-resolution microscopy and non-destructive inspection techniques. Results revealed that damage severity and propagation depend on impact energy levels and airfoil geometry, with SC(2)-0714 exhibiting better impact resistance than GOE777-IL. Microscopic analysis confirmed that delamination initiated at 45° fiber orientations, expanding along interlaminar regions, while airfoil curvature influenced the impact energy dissipation.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/67low-energy impactaircraft airfoilscomposite materialsdestructive testing
spellingShingle Ilse Jauregui Bogarin
Virginia G. Angel
Miriam Siqueiros Hernández
Emmanuel Santiago Durazo Romero
Hernán D. Magaña-Almaguer
Lidia Esther Vargas Osuna
Benjamín González Vizcarra
Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
Fibers
low-energy impact
aircraft airfoils
composite materials
destructive testing
title Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
title_full Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
title_fullStr Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
title_short Experimental Analysis of Low-Energy Impact Damage in Composite Material Airfoils
title_sort experimental analysis of low energy impact damage in composite material airfoils
topic low-energy impact
aircraft airfoils
composite materials
destructive testing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/67
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