Epoxy-glass fiber composite pipes were fabricated with filament winding machine. Full automation and precise control over the processing parameters are the major advantages of this manufacturing technique. Stacking sequence is one of the important processing parameters on which the properties of filament wound components depend to a large extent. This paper comes up with a comparative damage analysis of traditional composite pipes (TCPs) of stacking sequence [±55]6, and functionally graded composite pipes (FGCP) of stacking sequence [70-55-40-40-55-70]. The stacking sequence in FGCP was chosen such that the average stacking angle is retained the same as of TCPs, i.e. [±55]. An impact analysis of these pipes was carried out. Impact energy of 45 J was applied on both pipes and damage was quantified using back-lighting technique. It was observed that the damage occurred in FGCPs was 30% lesser compared to TCPs. © 2018 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.