In-plane static and dynamic properties of aluminium honeycombs

Abstract

In-plane mechanical response of aluminium honeycombs subjected to both static and dynamic loads is studied in this paper. Quasi-static compressive tests were performed on seven types of HEXCEL aluminium honeycombs with different cell size and wall thickness. The deformed layers produced “X’shaped bands in honeycomb samples when crushed in the X1 direction, while the deformed layers were almost perpendicular to the loading direction when crushed in the X2 direction. The plateau stresses in the X direction agree well with Lu and Yu’s theory, while the plateau stresses in the X2 direction agree well with Gibson and Ashby’s theory. Finite element analysis (FEA) was also conducted by using ABAQUS/STANDARD on four types of the honeycombs and a comparison was made between quasi-static experimental and FEA results. Dynamic tests on six types of aluminium honeycombs were conducted by using a gas gun and a fixture. Impact velocities varied from 5 m/s to 14 m/s. The “X” deformation mode was observed in honeycombs when crushed in the X direction at these relatively low velocities. On the other hand, the deformed layers were developed parallel to the impact plate when honeycombs were crushed in the X2 direction. The dynamic plateau stresses were compared with the static tests as well as our previous FEA results.