Effect of low speed tool impact on the performance of the composite bodied aircrafts

This study searches and reports an investigation about low-impact effects (1-10 m/s) of accidents, such as hand tool dropping, which may be seem insignificant during daily aircraft maintenance activities. Weight-dropping accidents, which are frequently encountered during aircraft maintenance, could occur problems such as matrix seperation, delamination, penetration and perforation on composite surfaces considered as in higher-energy impacts. Related test environment has been set up to examine the effects of dropping objects (at low impact speeds) on composite surfaces, in order to analyze effect 10 pieces, each 2 mm thickness of composite test samples were consecutively dropped a 3133 grams of round shaped metal object which is 25,4 mm diameter per each. Without any pre-velocity samples were dropped down at heights of 162 mm, 325 mm, 605mm, 813 mm and 1626 mm. After tests there has been observed no perforation detected at any energy level. Additionally, impact damages increasing with energy levels have been revealed out by help of ultrasonic, tap inspections and amount of deplacement dent occurances. After first impact test, composite repair has been performed in accordance with specifications. As a result of tests applied on repaired samples, amount of deplacement dent has been observed even defect on material has been limited. Keywords: Laminated structure, Composite, Impact, Crash, Numerical Modeling