Impact energy absorbing surface layers for protection of composite aircraft structures

摘要

In the framework of a European Defence Research Programme the NLR investigated how the tolerance behaviour of carbon/epoxy composite aircraft structures can be improved by application of impact energy absorbing surface layers. A promising concept of protection layers consist of a layer of an adhesive filled with glass microballoons covered with one or more layers of aluminium gauze. In an experimental test programme on unprotected and protected stiffened compression panels is was proved that surface layers may prevent impact damage in the composite panel for impact energies up to 60 Joule. As compared to an unprotected component the compression failure load was increased by approximately 40 percent. This benefit has to be set off against a weight penalty of 26 percent.