An Experimental Investigation of Sandwich Flat Panels Under Low Velocity Impact.

Abstract

This study evaluated the failure modes and mechanisms associated with increasing face sheet thickness of flat sandwich panels under low velocity impact. The sandwich panels were fabricated using 1.27 cm thick, 145 kg/cu m (9 lb/cu ft), 3.175 mm (1/8 in.) cell size Nomex honeycomb core, FM 300-2 film adhesive and AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy face sheets. The thickness of the core remained 1.27 cm, and the thickness of the adhesive remained 0.25 mm. The thickness of the face sheets varied using the following stacking sequences: (O/90)s, (O/9O)2s, (O/90)4s, (O/90)8s, and (O/90)12s. The sandwich panels were subjected to various low velocity impacts using the Dynatup Impact Test Machine. Pulse-Echo C-scans and optical microscopy of panel cross-sections were performed to characterize the damage. The cross-sections indicated that delamination and transverse cracking contribute to internal damage of the face sheets, while crushing, buckling, and crippling contribute to damage of the core. Cracks in the adhesive also contribute to damage in some cases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA289420

Entities

People

  • Timberlyn M. Harrington

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Size
  • Composite Materials
  • Delamination
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Honeycomb Cores
  • Impact Loads
  • Impact Tests
  • Laminates
  • Load Cells
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Sandwich Construction
  • Sandwich Panels

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Structural Dynamics.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.