Abstract: By using the split Hopkinson pressure bar technique,impact tests were carried out on fully clamped three-point bending laminated beam specimens made from continuous glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) of three types of lay-up constructions.The paper focuses research interests on scanning electronic microscopic (SEM)investigation of the impact failure morphology with the aim of providing phenomenological background for working out a new model which would describe more rationally the dynamic response behaviour during transverse impact,as well understanding comprehensively the dominant failure patterns at high strain rate.The results show that the laminate fracture morphology resulting from the given experimental conditions possesses distinct feature for every laminate and is a function of both material characteristics and lay-up constructions.Fiber/matrix interfacial bonding exerts important influence on the microcracking mechanism.