Abstract: Two groups of quasi-static indentation tests were carried out on carbon fiber NCF laminates. In the first group, the influence of different head diameter on the damage area was studied by using different indenter sizes. In the second group, the repeated test of fixed head size was carried out to study the relationship between the static indentation force, the dent depth and the damage area by using the non-contact air-coupled ultrasonic scanning sample. Based on the Hashin criterion and the cohesive element, the whole process damage propagation analysis of the second groups of laminates was carried out by using Abaqus software. The results indicate that the tensile failure of matrix is the most easily damaged, and the damage area covers the other 4 kinds of damage areas. There is a connection between dent depth and damage area. At the beginning of the test, the dent depth increases slowly, the damage area increases fast; close to the ultimate load, the dent depth increases fast, the damage area increases slowly.

Key words: static indentation force, Hashin criterion, cohesive element, damage propagation