Indentation study of honeycomb sandwich composite materials

Abstract

This study was conducted to quasi-static indentation study of composite sandwich panels made of glass/vinylester facesheets and polypropylene honeycomb core. Composite sandwich panel with different material types including chopped strand mat and plain woven glass/vinylester were analyzed numerically and experimentally. The effects of different parameters such as types of material, number of layers of facesheets and consequently the thickness of facesheets and the loading rate on indentation behavior were studied numerically and experimentally and the obtained results were compared together. The results of the research study showed that the maximum applied load on composite sandwich panel made of plain woven glass/vinylester and energy absorption properties is higher than chopped strand mat glass/vinylester. Also, the results of experimental tests showed that loading rate have big effect on load-deflection and energy absorption properties of composite sandwich panel and by increasing the loading rate, the maximum applied load and energy absorption properties of sandwich panel with honeycomb core is increased and there is direct relation between the loading rate and the indentation properties of sandwich panel. The results of finite element analysis and experimental tests were compared together and it has found that there is difference between the obtained results.