Dynamic response of polyurethane foam and fiber orthogonal corrugated sandwich structure subjected to low-velocity impact

Abstract

Two kinds of foam/fiber sandwich structures were prepared by using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process, on which the low-velocity impact tests were carried out. The force response, specific energy absorption and failure mode of the two sandwich structures under different impact energies, hammer shapes and impact positions were studied. From the force response and energy absorption curves, it can be seen that the corrugated sandwich structure outperformed the flat sandwich structure in terms of low-velocity impact resistance, and showed the best impact resistance when the impact was applied at the corrugated trough position. According to the observation of the impact profile of sandwich structure, the main failure modes of the sandwich structures include foam cracking, fiber breaking, fiber delamination, and debonding between fiber and foam.