Experimental investigation on impact and after-impact compression (AIC) behavior of foam core composite panels

Abstract

This study investigates the impact and after-impact compression behavior of sandwich structures with carbon fiber composite face-sheets consisting of various polymeric core structures. In particular, the performance of polypropylene foam core with closed cell structure, which is new to engineering applications, against other polymeric core structures was investigated. Sandwich panels were subjected to three different impact energies and after-impact compression tests were conducted on each sample to reveal their damage tolerances and load-carrying capabilities. In-situ acoustic measurements were made to fully understand the damage and evolution mechanisms in the after-impact compression tests. Honeycomb polypropylene (PP) foam, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam were used as core materials. As a result of the tests, it was obtained which damage types occurred at which force levels. PP core panels exhibited different impact behavior compared to conventional sandwich core structures and were successful in preventing damage to the face sheets.