Impact damage characterization for varying areal-weight unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer circuit-analog absorbers

This paper numerically characterizes the effects of normal, blunt impact damage on unidirectional carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) circuit analog absorbers (CAA). Single-layer CFRP CAAs are fabricated using a wet-layup technique and are then subjected to controlled impact scenarios. A free-space measurement system is implemented to track and quantify changes to the complex permittivity and sheet impedance of the CFRP and absorption capabilities of the CAA. Accuracy and repeatability analysis for both the damaging apparatus and the material characterization interface are presented. Alternative simulation methods and damage quantification techniques for impact damage in CFRP CAAs are developed.