Study of the response of CFRP composite laminates to a laser-induced shock

Laser-induced shock yields to a local tensile stress within a sample. This high strain rate stress can be used to verify the bond strength between two layers. This method has been applied to Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite laminates, involved in aeronautic or defense industry. Experiments have been carried out on high power laser facility in the nanosecond regime. A velocimetry interferometer has been used to record the material velocity at the back surface of the samples. This study provides a comprehensive approach of the response of CFRP laminates of different thicknesses to a shock load normal to the fibres direction. The stress waves generation and propagation within the laminate and the induced delamination are key issues of this work. The main result is the ability of the technique to evaluate the out-of-plane strength of these laminates. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.