High-velocity impact response of metallic sandwich structures with PVC foam core

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering 2020-10, Vol.144, p.103657, Article 103657
• Main Authors: Ren, Peng, Tao, Qiangqiang, Yin, Liangliang, Ma, Yijiang, Wu, Jie, Zhao, Wei, Mu, Zhongcheng, Guo, Zitao, Zhao, Zhe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Configurations; Deformation; Density; Dynamic response; Energy absorption; Failure analysis; Failure modes; High speed cameras; Impact loading; Impact loads; Impact resistance; Impact response; Light foam core; Plates (structural members); Projectiles; Protective structures; Sandwich plates; Sandwich structures; Thickness; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 0734-743X; 1879-3509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2020.103657

•The deformation response of sandwich plates with composite foam core subjected to high velocity impact of foam projectile was investigated by using experimental method.•The failure modes of the sandwich plates subjected to impact loading was concluded.•Effect of impact loading intensity, core thickness and core density on the damage of plates was evaluated.•The energy absorption of sandwich plates with different configuration was studied. In this study, the deformation and damage behaviors of sandwich plates with composite foam core subjected to high velocity impact of metallic foam projectile are investigated. A series of experiments was conducted to address the dynamic response, failure modes and energy absorption characteristics of the sandwich plates with different configurations. The dynamic behavior of the sandwich plates was analyzed by using 3D-DIC technique with high speed cameras. The failure modes of the sandwich plates as well as front face sheet, foam core and rear face sheet were identified and discussed. The results indicate that the symmetric deformation of rear face sheet increased with the impact loading increasing, and the core with greater thickness lengthen the responding time of the structures effectively. Compared with the thickness of core, core density played the more important role on improving the impact resistance of the sandwich plates at same areal mass. The effect of sequence of core layers on the impact resistance can be neglected in this study. Additionally, the energy absorption analysis of the six different configurations exhibited that the plates with high density core provided more stable and superior energy absorption efficiency. The study could provide a valuable reference for designing more efficient light weight protective structures.