Damage characterization of sandwich composites subjected to impact loading

Advanced composite materials are usually optimized to achieve balance of properties for given range of applications. In recent times, researchers had worked on the sandwich composites by using different foam and metal honeycomb as a core material. In the current project, honeycomb core is prepared by using 3D printed technology. In this case of sandwich composites, cross-linked polyethylene foam and 3D-printed polylactic acid honeycomb as core and GFRP is used as face sheet. The comparison is made between polyethylene foam and 3D printed honeycomb core sandwich composite in the aspect of toughness, strength, and modulus. The present study is to characterize the damages in the sandwich structure for the amount of energy absorbed by the structures such as delamination, indentation, crushing of foams, and debonding of face sheets and core material subjected to free fall impact. The contact force versus time, contact force versus deflection of plates with respect to impact energy levels of 9.3, 16.5, and 25.7 J and impact energy versus time are determined. The current research helps in determination of core materials effecting/absorbing the damage and behavior of sandwich materials subjected to impact loads.