This invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing composite materials, and in particular, to utilizing an artificial neural network for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material. A method for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of designing an artificial neural network including a plurality of neurons, training the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance by adjusting an output of the plurality of neurons according to sample data and known results of the sample data, inputting data of the composite material into the artificial neural network, and utilizing the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance of the composite material.