Fabrication and Testing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Truss Core Sandwich Panels

Truss core sandwich panels reinforced by carbon fibers were assembled with bonded laminate facesheets and carbon fiber reinforced truss cores.The top and bottom facesheets were interconnected with truss cores.Both ends of the truss cores were embedded into four layers of top and bottom facesheets.The mechanical properties of truss core sandwich panels were then investigated under out-of-plane and in-plane compression loadings to reveal the failure mechanisms of sandwich panels.Experimental results indicated...     

Hybrid carbon fiber composite lattice truss structures

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite sandwich panels with hybrid foam filled CFRP pyramidal lattice cores have been assembled from linear carbon fiber braids and Divinycell H250 polymer foam trapezoids. These have been stitched to 3D woven carbon fiber face sheets and infused with an epoxy resin using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Sandwich panels with carbon fiber composite truss volumes of 1.5–17.5% of the core volume have been fabricated, and the through-thickness compressive strength and modulus measured, and compared with micromechanical models that establish the relationships between the mechanical properties of the core, its topology and the mechanical properties of the truss and foam. The through thickness modulus and strength of the hybrid cores is found to increase with increasing truss core volume fraction. However, the lattice strength saturates at high CFRP truss volume fraction as the proportion of the truss material contained in the nodes increases. The use of linear carbon fiber braids is shown to facilitate the simpler fabrication of hybrid CFRP structures compared to previously described approaches. Their specific strength, moduli and energy absorption is found to be comparable to those made by alternative approaches.     

High Velocity Impact Response of Composite Lattice Core Sandwich Structures

In this research, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite sandwich structures with pyramidal lattice core subjected to high velocity impact ranging from 180 to 2,000 m/s have been investigated by experimental and numerical methods. Experiments using a two-stage light gas gun are conducted to investigate the impact process and to validate the finite element (FE) model. The energy absorption efficiency (EAE) in carbon fiber composite sandwich panels is compared with that of 304 stainless-steel and aluminum alloy lattice core sandwich structures. In a specific impact energy range, energy absorption efficiency in carbon fiber composite sandwich panels is higher than that of 304 stainless-steel sandwich panels and aluminum alloy sandwich panels owing to the big density of metal materials. Therefore, in addition to the multi-functional applications, carbon fiber composite sandwich panels have a potential advantage to substitute the metal sandwich panels as high velocity impact resistance structures under a specific impact energy range.     

Mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite sandwich panels with 2-D lattice truss cores

Composite sandwich structures with lattice truss cores are attracting more and more attention due to their superior specific strength/stiffness and multi-functional applications. In the present study, the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite sandwich panels with 2-D lattice truss core are manufactured based on the hot-pressing method using unidirectional carbon/epoxy prepregs. The facesheets are interconnected with lattice truss members by means of that both ends of the lattice truss members are embedded into the facesheets, without the bonding procedure commonly adopted by sandwich panels. The mechanical properties of the 2-D lattice truss sandwich panels are investigated under out-of-plane compression, shear and three-point bending tests. Delamination of the facesheets is observed in shear and bending tests while node failure mode does not occur. The tests demonstrate that delamination of the facesheet is the primary failure mode of this sandwich structure other than the debonding between the facesheets and core for conventional sandwiches.     

Impact response of integrated hollow core sandwich composite panels

This paper deals with an innovative integrated hollow (space) E-glass/epoxy core sandwich composite construction that possesses several multi-functional benefits in addition to the providing lightweight and bending stiffness advantages. In comparison with traditional foam and honeycomb cores, the integrated space core provides a means to route wires/rods, embed electronic assemblies, and store fuel and fire-retardant foam, among other conceivable benefits. In the current work, the low-velocity impact (LVI) response of innovative integrated sandwich core composites was investigated. Three thicknesses of integrated and functionality-embedded E-glass/epoxy sandwich cores were considered in this study—including 6, 9 and 17 mm. The low-velocity impact results indicated that the hollow and functionality-embedded integrated core suffered a localized damage state limited to a system of core members in the vicinity of the impact. The peak forces attained under static compression and LVI were in accordance with Euler's column buckling equation. Stacking of the core was an effective way of improving functionality and limiting the LVI damage in the sandwich plate. The functionality-embedded cores provided enhanced LVI resistance due to energy additional energy absorption mechanisms.     

Pyramidal lattice sandwich structures with hollow composite trusses

Pyramidal lattice sandwich structures with hollow composite trusses were fabricated using a thermal expansion molding approach. Composite lattice structures with three relative densities were fabricated with two fiber architectures and the out-of-plane compression properties were measured and compared. Lattice cores with a fraction of carbon fibers circumferentially wound around the hollow trusses (Variant 2) exhibited superior mechanical properties compared with similar structures comprised of unidirectional fibers (Variant 1). The out-of-plane compressive properties of composite pyramidal lattice structures in Variant 2 were well-matched by analytical predictions. Unusual strain hardening behavior was observed in the plateau region for Variant 2, and the energy absorption capabilities were measured and compared with the similarly constructed silicone rubber–core truss pyramidal lattice structures (Variant 3). The energy absorption per unit mass of selected hollow truss composite lattice structures reported here surpassed that of both hybrid truss counterparts (Variant 3) and hollow truss metallic lattice structures.     

Deformation and impact energy absorption of cellular sandwich panels

The response and energy absorption capacity of cellular sandwich panels that comprises of silk-cotton wood skins and aluminum honeycomb core are studied under quasi-static and low velocity impact loading. Two types of sandwich panels were constructed. The Type-I sandwich panel contains the silk-cotton wood plates (face plates) with their grains oriented to the direction of loading axis and in the case of Type-II sandwich panel, the wood grains were oriented transverse to the loading axis. In both of the above cases, aluminum honeycomb core had its cell axis parallel to the loading direction. The macro-deformation behavior of these panels is studied under quasi-static loading and their energy absorption capacity quantified. A series of low velocity impact tests were conducted and the dynamic data are discussed. The results are then compared with those of quasi-static experiments. It is observed that the energy absorption capacity of cellular sandwich panels increases under dynamic loading when compared with the quasi-static loading conditions. The Type-I sandwich panels tested in this study are found to be the better impact energy absorbers for low velocity impact applications.     

Quasi-static indentation tests on aluminium foam sandwich panels

Mechanical response and energy absorption of aluminium foam sandwich panels subjected to quasi-static indentation loads were investigated experimentally. These sandwich panels consisted of two aluminium face-sheets and a closed cell aluminium foam core (ALPORAS®). Quasi-static indentation tests were conducted using an MTS universal testing machine, with sandwich panels either simply supported or fully fixed. Force–displacement curves were recorded and the total energy absorbed by sandwich panels was calculated accordingly. Videos and photographs were taken to capture the deformation of top face-sheets, foam cores and bottom face-sheets. Effects of face-sheet thickness, core thickness, boundary conditions, adhesive and surface condition of face-sheets on the mechanical response and energy absorption of sandwich panels were discussed.     

泡沫铝夹芯板压入和侵彻性能的实验研究

利用MTS和落锤试验机研究了由复合材料面板和闭孔泡沫铝芯层组成的夹芯板结构在压入和侵彻时的变形和失效行为,并通过引入无量纲参数——能量吸收效率因子,探讨了一些关键参数对夹芯板压入和侵彻性能以及能量吸收性能的影响,如冲击能量、面板厚度、芯层厚度及相对密度、压头/锤头形状和边界条件等。结果表明夹芯板的破坏主要集中在压头作用的局部区域内。夹芯板的能量吸收效率对其结构参数比较敏感,增加上层面板厚度、芯层厚度或芯层相对密度能够有效地提高夹芯板结构的能量吸收能力以及抵抗压入和侵彻的能力,而下层面板厚度的对夹心板抗侵彻性能的影响不明显。不同的压头/锤头形状和边界条件对泡沫铝夹芯板的压入和侵彻响应以及能量吸收性能影响明显。     

Mechanical behavior of the sandwich structures with carbon fiber-reinforced pyramidal lattice truss core

Sandwich panel construction with carbon fiber-reinforced pyramidal lattice truss is attracting more and more attention due to its superior mechanical properties and multi-functional applications. Pyramidal lattice truss sandwich panels made from carbon fiber reinforced composites materials are manufactured by hot-pressing. The facesheets are interconnected with truss cores, the facesheets and truss cores are manufactured in one manufacturing process without bonding. The buckling and splitting of truss member is observed in the compressive and shear tests and no nodal failure is observed. The predicted results show that the mechanical behavior of the pyramidal lattice truss core sandwich panels depends on the relative density of core and the material properties of truss members.     

Mechanical behaviors of carbon fiber composite sandwich columns with three dimensional honeycomb cores under in-plane compression

Mechanical properties and failure modes of carbon fiber composite egg and pyramidal honeycombs cores under in plane compression were studied in the present paper. An interlocking method was developed for both kinds of three-dimensional honeycombs. Euler or core shear macro-buckling, face wrinkling, face inter-cell buckling, core member crushing and face sheet crushing were considered and theoretical relationships for predicting the failure load associated with each mode were presented. Failure mechanism maps were constructed to predict the failure of these composite sandwich panels subjected to in-plane compression. The response of the sandwich panels under axial compression was measured up to failure. The measured peak loads obtained in the experiments showed a good agreement with the analytical predictions. The finite element method was used to investigate the Euler buckling of sandwich beams made with two different honeycomb cores and the comparisons between two kinds of honeycomb cores were conducted.     

纤维增强复合材料三明治板破片穿甲数值仿真

研究破片对（由钢板、纤维增强复合材料板及钢板叠合而成）纤维增强复合材料三明治板穿甲过程中能量转化规律。进行破片模拟弹丸(FSP)对不同结构三明治板高速穿甲数值仿真,获得FSP破片对16种三明治板的弹道极限,并与实验结果对比验证数值仿真的可信度。通过分析数值仿真结果,进一步研究破片临界贯穿条件下纤维增强复合材料三明治板各组成部分吸能比率与结构尺寸相关性。结果表明,不同厚度夹层板的吸能比率恒定(芳纶纤维10.41%,玻璃纤维2.68%),夹层板内能随厚度的增加呈二次函数增加。由此获得破片对纤维增强复合材料三明治板弹道极限速度计算方法。     

LOW VELOCITY PERFORATION BEHAVIOUR OF POLYMER COMPOSITE SANDWICH PANELS

The paper describes low-velocity impact tests on square panels made from two polymer composite sandwich constructions, namely woven glass vinyl ester skins with Coremat core and woven glass epoxy pre-preg skins with honeycomb core. The impact velocity was up to 8 m s^-1 with an impact mass of up to 30 kg giving a maximum impact energy of 882 J. This maximum energy gives full perforation of the panels. The panels were 0.5 m by 0.5 m with clamped but free to pull in boundary conditions. The impactor geometry considered was a 50 mm diameter hemisphere. Results are expressed in the form of energy and failure mode plots and it is shown that the energy absorbing capabilities of the panels increase with the velocity of impact. The increase in energy absorption is attributed to an increase in the core crush stress and skin failure stress at high strain rates. Some discussion is given on the influence of the energy absorbing capabilities of constituent materials on the overall energy absorption behaviour of the panel. Suggestions have also been made for increasing panel perforation energy.     

结构参数对CFRP蒙皮-铝蜂窝夹层板低速冲击性能的影响

针对碳纤维增强树脂复合材料（CFRP）蒙皮-铝蜂窝夹层结构,使用半球头式落锤冲击试验平台进行了低速冲击载荷下蜂窝芯单元尺寸对夹层板冲击性能影响的试验探究,并基于渐进损伤模型、内聚力模型和三维Hashin失效准则,在有限元仿真软件ABAQUS中建立了含蒙皮、蜂窝芯、胶层的CFRP蒙皮-铝蜂窝夹层板精细化低速冲击仿真模型,仿真结果与试验结果吻合较好。利用该数值模型进一步探究了蜂窝芯高度、蒙皮厚度和蜂窝芯壁厚等结构参数对于蜂窝夹层板低速冲击吸能效果的影响。结果表明:增大铝蜂窝芯的单元边长,会减小蜂窝夹层板的刚度,提升夹层板的吸能效果;芯层高度对夹层板的刚度及抗低速冲击性能影响较小;增大蜂窝夹层板的蒙皮厚度,可以提高夹层板的刚度,但会降低夹层板的吸能效果;增大蜂窝芯的壁厚,可以提高夹层板的刚度和抗低速冲击性能。      

Designing and compression behaviors of ductile hierarchical pyramidal lattice composites

To improve the ductility of lightweight cellular material, hierarchical pyramidal lattice truss composites were designed and manufactured. Rib of the hierarchical pyramidal lattice truss composite is made of glass fiber reinforced woven textile sandwich structure and designed weft-loaded. Flat-wise compression experiments were carried out to explore the strength and deformation mode of the hierarchical pyramidal lattice truss composite. Progressive crushing of the sandwich rib enables the hierarchical lattice composite to have a long stable deformation plateau. Stress of the deformation plateau of the hierarchical lattice composite is rather close to its strength, indicating that the hierarchical lattice composite would have excellent specific energy absorption, even better than aluminum lattice structures. The experiments reveal that the hierarchical structure makes the fiber reinforced lattice composite much more ductile and weight efficient in energy absorption.     

夹层结构复合材料低速冲击试验与分析

设计了聚甲基丙烯酰亚胺(PMI)泡沫、 交联聚氯乙烯(X-PVC)泡沫、 NOMEX蜂窝、 缝合PMI以及开槽PMI泡沫等形式的玻璃布面板夹层结构复合材料, 研究了芯材种类和厚度、 面板玻璃布层数以及缝合和开槽等因素对夹层结构低速冲击性能的影响。结果表明, PMI泡沫芯较X-PVC泡沫芯和NOMEX蜂窝芯具有更高的冲击破坏载荷和吸收能量。随着泡沫密度及面板厚度的增加, 夹层结构复合材料的冲击破坏载荷和破坏吸收能量增大。合理的缝合和开槽, 能够增加PMI泡沫夹层结构的强度、 刚度及界面性能, 提高冲击承载能力。     

泡沫铝夹层结构复合材料低速冲击性能

以泡沫铝为夹芯材料,玄武岩纤维(BF)和超高分子量聚乙烯纤维(UHMWPE)复合材料为面板,制备夹层结构复合材料。研究纤维类型、铺层结构和芯材厚度对泡沫铝夹层结构复合材料冲击性能和损伤模式的影响规律,并与铝蜂窝夹层结构复合材料性能进行对比分析。结果表明:BF/泡沫铝夹层结构比UHMWPE/泡沫铝夹层结构具有更大的冲击破坏载荷,但冲击位移和吸收能量较小。BF和UHMWPE两种纤维的分层混杂设计比叠加混杂具有更高的冲击破坏载荷和吸收能量。随着泡沫铝厚度的增加,夹层结构复合材料的冲击破坏载荷降低,破坏吸收能量增大。泡沫铝夹层结构比铝蜂窝夹层结构具有更高的冲击破坏载荷,但冲击破坏吸收能量较小;泡沫铝芯材以冲击部位的碎裂为主要失效形式,铝蜂窝芯材整体压缩破坏明显。     

Mechanical behavior of sandwich panels with hollow Al–Si tubes core construction

A new type of lightweight sandwich panels consisting of vertically aligned hollow Al–Si alloy tubes as core construction and carbon fiber composite face sheets was designed. The hollow Al–Si alloy tubes were fabricated using precision casting and were bonded to the face sheets using an epoxy adhesive. The out-of-plane compression (i.e. core crushing), in-plane compression, and three-point bending response of the panels were tested until failure. The hollow Ai–Si alloy tubes core configuration show superior specific strength under crushing compared to common metallic and stochastic foam cores. Under in-plane compression and three-point bending, the buckling of face sheets and debonding of hollow cores from the face sheets were observed. Simple analytical relationships based on the concepts of mechanics of materials were provided for the compression tests, which estimate the sandwich panels’ strength with high fidelity. For three-point bending, detailed finite element analysis was used to model the response and initial failure of the sandwich panels.     

Mechanical Response of All-composite Pyramidal Lattice Truss Core Sandwich Structures

The mechanical performance of an all-composite pyramidal lattice truss core sandwich structure was investigated both theoretically and experimentally.Sandwich structures were fabricated with a hot compression molding method using carbon fiber reinforced composite T700/3234.The out-of-plane compression and shear tests were conducted.Experimental results showed that the all-composite pyramidal lattice truss core sandwich structures were more weight efficient than other metallic lattice truss core sandwich structures.Failure modes revealed that node rupture dominated the mechanical behavior of sandwich structures.     

梯度铝蜂窝夹芯板的力学行为

梯度分层铝合金蜂窝板是一种有效的吸能结构,本工作在梯度铝蜂窝结构的基础上根据梯度率的概念,通过改变蜂窝芯层的胞壁长度,设计了4种质量相同、梯度率不同的铝蜂窝夹芯结构。通过准静态压缩实验,并结合非线性有限元模拟准静态及冲击态下梯度铝蜂窝夹芯结构的变形情况及其力学性能,分析对比了相同质量下梯度铝蜂窝夹芯结构在准静态下的变形模式以及冲击载荷下分层均质蜂窝结构和不同梯度率的分层梯度蜂窝结构的动态响应和能量吸收特性。结果表明:在准静态压缩过程中,铝蜂窝梯度夹芯板的变形具有明显的局部化特征,蜂窝芯的变形为低密度优先变形直至密实,层级之间的密实化应变差随芯层密度的增大而逐渐减小;在高速冲击下,梯度蜂窝板并非严格按照准静态过程中逐级变形直至密实,而是在锤头冲击惯性及芯层密度的相互作用下整体发生的线弹性变形、弹性屈曲、塑性坍塌及密实化;另外,在本工作所设计的梯度率中,当梯度率为γ₁=0.0276时,梯度蜂窝夹芯板的吸能性达到最好,相较于同等质量下的均质蜂窝夹芯板,能量吸收提高了10.63%。