THERMOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF IMPACT DAMAGE

Aim of this paper is to analyse the damage introduced by impact in two materials: a glass fibre reinforced composite and a hybrid material. The applications of both these materials are in the automotive field, for instance in lateral or roof panels of cars of buses. In this light, it is therefore important to know their mechanical response to possible impacts to the structures or components for which they are designed. After impacts at different energy levels, panels are cut in rectangular specimens, centring the damaged region. Static tensile tests are then performed on these specimens, monitored by a thermal camera: IR-thermography is therefore chosen as the experimental technique to check and monitor the damage evolution in the materials. From the obtained results, and by a comparison with the undamaged material, quantitative considerations are finally proposed to relate the variation of surface temperature to the magnitude of the damage introduced in the materials.