Low velocity impact behavior of sandwich composites with different structural configurations of foam core: An experimental study

In this study, various structural configurations such plain core, two-core, epoxy columns in the core, core stitched, and facesheet stitched were designed in the foam core sandwich composite with the aim to increase the absorbed energy and to decrease core/facesheet debonding area due to low-velocity impact. Glass fiber/epoxy and PVC foam were used as a facesheet material and a core material, respectively. The impact energy values were selected considering to penetration and perforation cases. The core stitching effect on low velocity impact behavior of sandwich composites were compared to facesheet stitching and it has been determined that the core stitching process can be an alternative to the facesheet stitching process in terms of the absorbed energy value. Impacted sandwich composites are investigated for core/facesheet debonding; the modifications through the thickness increased the failure path for core/facesheet debonding initiation and the results show that a significant decrease in the core/facesheet debonding area has been achieved