Indentation of composite sandwich panels with aluminum foam core: An experimental parametric study

Abstract

Quasi-static indentation tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical responses of sandwich panels with composite face sheets and aluminum foam core. The energy absorption, specific energy absorption and energy-absorbing effectiveness factor of rigid-supported composite sandwich panels were evaluated and compared. The deformation of upper face sheets, foam cores and lower face sheets was captured. The effects of several key parameters, including the face sheet thickness, the core thickness and relative density, and the indenter nose shape, on the energy absorption behavior of the rigid-supported sandwich panels were explored. The dependency of the load–displacement response of sandwich panels on boundary conditions was also discussed. It was found that the rigid-supported sandwich panels absorb the greatest energy and own the highest energy absorption efficiency, while fully fixed panels absorb the least energy and own the lowest energy absorption efficiency.