Experimental optimization of the impact energy absorption of epoxy-carbon laminates through controlled delamination. Composites Science and Technology, Elsevier, 2010, 68 (13) ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2 ABSTRACTIn this paper, the correlation between interlaminar fracture toughness and impact energy absorption for the fracture of epoxy-carbon laminates was studied. Carbon fibres-epoxy cross-ply prepreg layers were interleaved with thin (26 microns) poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) films. Before the composite preparation, circular holes 1 mm in diameter were drilled in the PET films at several densities (from 0 up to 44 holes/cm 2 ) in order to selectively increase the interlaminar contact area between the epoxycarbon laminae. In this way, the interlaminar contact area was gradually varied from 0%, corresponding to the case in which non-perforated PET films were used, up to 100% in the case of