Composite panels may be subjected to operating temperatures from -55˚C to 76˚C and high strain rates. The aerospace guidelines for material operating limits are not directly applicable to ground vehicle applications. In this research, the influence of temperature and moisture on critical mechanical properties of two epoxy resins SC-15 and RDL-RDC at quasi-static and high strain rates (using Hopkinson bar) is investigated.

The role of thermoplastic interlayer in thick section composites for improving delamination resistance will be discussed. Model predictions from LsDyna are used to differentiate the extent of delamination in panels with and without interlayer. Processability and VARTM layouts of the thick section composites with interlayers will be discussed using LIMS software simulations.