Abstract: In this paper, the performance of carbon nanotube (CNT) films against transverse high-speed impacts and the effect of resin content on the impact performance are investigated using a one-stage light air gun experiment; Combined with numerical simulations, the critical penetration velocities of pure CNT films and those impregnated with 20%, 50% and 80% epoxy resin solution under the impact of a steel ball with a diameter of 3mm are obtained, which are 26.2m/s, 27.1m/s, 27.96m/s and 35.3m/s, respectively. The results show that the epoxy resin can enhance the mechanical properties of CNT films, and the enhancement effect is gradually obvious with the increase of epoxy resin concentration. Through the observation of microscopic morphology, it is found that the enhancement mechanism of CNT resin composite film under high-speed impact is mainly based on the energy absorption of microcracks. In this study, the mechanical behaviour of CNT resin composite films under high-speed impact is investigated to reveal the enhancement mechanism of CNT under transverse impact load, aiming to provide help and guidance for the design and preparation of interlayer toughened composites and their mechanical property research.

Key words: carbon nanotube films, composite material, high speed impact, numerical simulation, impact resistanc