Experimental study of the impact behavior of repaired thin laminates with double composite patch

The aim of this article is to present a study of the behavior of patch-repaired laminates subjected to low-velocity impacts. A broad range of impact energies was selected. Results for repaired laminates in terms of contact load, damage and absorbed energy were compared to those obtained from intact specimens. At impact energies below 10 J, energy absorption in repaired specimens was higher than the one given in intact laminates, although the measured damage area was found to be greater in the former configuration. For higher impact energies, both damage area and energy absorption in intact specimens were greater than in repaired laminates.