Characterization of composite laminates subjected to repeated indentation

The effect of the fiber orientation in a laminate is investigated experimentally when subjected repeated quasistatic indentation. All the laminates with different fiber orientation are subjected to indentation with a stainless steel spherical indenter of diameter 8.0mm on a universal testing machine for a maximum indenter displacement of 4mm. The rate of indenter displacement was 0.5mm/minute. Different parameters like load bearing capacity, indentation diameter, area of surface damage, etc., were recorded after 4mm of indenter displacement. All the parameters were studied and compared to evaluate the laminate with high strength.