Dynamic compression behavior of integrated core sandwich composites

Sandwich composites are widely used in many structural applications due to their superior bending stiffness, low weight and excellent thermal insulation, etc. Many innovative improvements have been made in the construction of sandwich composites in recent years to improve their impact resistance. Evaluation of dynamic properties of such laminates is of vital importance to the designer. In the current study, foam filled 3D integrated core sandwich composite laminates with and without additional face sheets were fabricated using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding process in multiple steps. For additional facing, plain weave S2-glass and twill weave carbon fabrics were used on top and bottom sides of the panels in four different monolithic (S2-glass only, carbon only) and hybrid (glass + carbon, one with S2-glass layer outside and other with carbon layer outside) combinations. High strain rate (HSR) response of integrated core sandwich composites was determined using a split Hopkinson pressure bar setup (SHPB) under compression loading at strain rates ranging from 742 to 1546 s−1. Dynamic response of different types of samples was compared in terms of the peak stress, modulus, strain at peak stress and failure modes.