Hypersonic Weather Encounter Damage Predictions in Carbon-Carbon Composites

Hypersonic waterdrop and nylon bead impact damage on carbon-carbon composite targets are analyzed by using a non-ordinary state-based peridynamics method. A Johson Cook model-based brittle material modeling approach with failure is considered to represent material behavior of carbon-carbon composites. A 3D-orthogonal carbon-carbon composite material is modeled with a strategy where carbon fiber tows and matrix are explicitly represented as separate isotropic peridynamic materials. Peridynamic results show sufficient similarities with the reference experimental study in terms of a qualitative comparison of damage sites. Further quantification highlighted that nylon bead is able to produce water droplet-like impact forces and impulse creating similar damage patterns for carbon-carbon composite materials.