• Dynamic tensile strength of composite rocks increases with higher strength ratios and strain rates, indicating a strain-rate dependent behavior.
• Failure mode transitions from center-splitting to tension-shear combined and back as the incident angle varies from 0° to 90°, highlighting the role of bedding plane orientation.
• The effect of incident wave order on strength diminishes at high strain rates (≥400 s−1), with differences below 5%, simplifying dynamic loading assessments.
• Microfracture distribution is influenced by strength ratio: cracks concentrate on the softer side for ratios 1.5 and 2.0, but distribute on both sides of the bedding plane for ratio 1.2, providing insights into failure mechanisms.