Experimental Study and Numerical Modelling of Low Velocity Impact on Laminated Composite Reinforced with Thin Film Made of Carbon Nanotubes A. El Moumen 1 & M. Tarfaoui 1 & O. Hassoon 1 & K. Lafdi 2 & H. Benyahia 1 & M. Nachtane 1 Received: 14 June 2017 /Accepted: 28 June 2017 # Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2017 Abstract In this work, polymer laminated composites based on Epon 862 Epoxy resin, T300 6 k carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were tested with the aim to elucidate the effect of CNTs on impact properties including impact force and capacity to absorb impact energy. The polymer matrix was reinforced by a random distribution of CNTs with fraction ranging from 0.5 to 4.wt%. Composite panels were manufactured by using the infusion process. Taylor impact test was used to obtain the impact response of specimens. Projectile manufactured from a high strength and hardened steel with a diameter of 20 mm and 1.5 kg of mass was launched by a compressed gas gun within the velocity of 3 m/s. Impact force histories and absorbed energy of specimens were recorded. A numerical model was employed to simulate the impact performance. This model has been accomplished by forming a user established subroutine (VUMAT) and executing it in ABAQUS software. Finally, the effect of CNTs amount on dynamic properties of laminated composites was discussed. Keywords Carbon nanotubes . Polymer composite materials . Low-velocity impact . Dynamic properties . Numerical modelling . Damage modelling . VUMAT 1 Introduction The development of functional laminate polymer composites with specific electrical, thermal and mechanical properties is an important research area for the integration of sensing func- tionalities into composite materials. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be implanted within a composite structures through integration with the matrix [1–3], fiber [4] or both [5]. Appl Compos Mater DOI 10.1007/s10443-017-9622-8 * A. El Moumen ahmed.el_moumen@ensta-bretagne.fr 1 ENSTA Bretagne, CNRS FRE 3744, IRDL, F-29200 Brest, France 2 University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, OH 45469-0168, USA