Comparative Study on Impact Responses of Sandwich Composites with Stiff and Compliant Core Materials

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Karnataka, India

Abstract

The current investigation focused on the Finite element analysis (FEA) study on the outcome of sandwich composite's low to high-velocity impact responses. The sandwich structure comprises jute, natural rubber as skin, and epoxy/ natural rubber as a core, mixed with sand as a filler
(0%-40%) material for bonding skin, and core B-stage cured natural-based prepreg is employed. The structure is impacted with a low velocity of 10 m/sec, an Intermediate of 50 m/sec, a high-velocity impact of 100m/sec, and ballistic velocity impact of 350 m/sec. Based on the results in terms of energy absorption, filler plays a vital role in increasing energy absorption capabilities for all configurations. The sandwich structure with rubber as the core offers better energy absorption capability because of its flexible nature. For further study, sandwich structures with a 40% sand filler were examined, with a velocity limit of 350 m/s. Varying the core thickness from 5 to 20 mm revealed that increasing the core thickness and filler composition in both configurations results in 0.37% for FR40F and 1.70% for FE40F higher energy absorption. Rubber core sandwiches outperformed epoxy core, suggesting the potential utility of rubber and sand-filled cores in ballistic-loaded sandwich structures.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1]   Alonso L., Solis A., 2021. High-velocity impact on composite sandwich structures: A theoretical model. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 201, 106459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2021.106459.
[2]   Vishwas, M., Joladarashi, S., Kulkarni, SM., 2018. Finite element simulation of low-velocity impact loading on a sandwich composite, 01010, pp.1–10. DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/201814401010
[3]   Patil S, Reddy DM., 2021. Impact analysis of thick cylindrical sandwich panels with foam core subjected to single and multi-mass impacts. Scientia Iranica, 28, pp. 2267–2275. https://doi.org/10.24200/SCI.2020.55341.4180.
[4]   Doddamani MR, Kulkarni SM., 2012. Instrumented ballistic performance of jute/epoxy sandwich with functionally graded rubber core. International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 3, pp. 117–138. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMATEI.2012.046897.
[5]   Arbaoui J., Schmitt Y., Pierrot JL., Royer FX. 2014. Effect of core thickness and intermediate layers on mechanical properties of polypropylene honeycomb multi-layer sandwich structures. Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, 59, pp. 11–16. https://doi.org/10.2478/amm-2014-0002.
[6]   Hua F., Su L., Luo X., Ye J., 2023. Recent Advances in Ballistic Resistance of Lightweight Metal Sandwich Cores. Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2478 (7), 072072. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2478/7/072072.
[7]   Ozdemir O., Karakuzu R., Al-Shamary AKJ., 2015. Core-thickness effect on the impact response of sandwich composites with poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) foam cores. Journal of Composite Materials, 49, pp. 1315–1329. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998314533597.
[8]   Özdemir O. 2010, Core Material Effect on Impact Behavior of Glass Fiber Sandwich Composites. Thesis Submitted to Dokuz Eylül University (Turkey).
[9]   O'Brien DJ, Chin WK, Long LR, Wetzel ED., 2014. Polymer matrix, polymer ribbon-reinforced transparent composite materials. Compos Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 56, pp. 161-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.09.015.
[10] Zhang J, Lu G, Zhang Y, You Z. 2021. A study on ballistic performance of origami sandwich panels. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 156, 103925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2021.103925.
[11] Hoo Fatt MS, Sirivolu D. 2010. A wave propagation model for the high-velocity impact response of a composite sandwich panel. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 37, pp.117–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2009.09.002.
[12] Kärger L, Baaran J, Teßmer J., 2007. Rapid simulation of impacts on composite sandwich panels inducing barely visible damage. Composite Structure, 79, pp. 527–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2006.02.012.
[13] Edgren F., Soutis C., Asp LE., 2008. Damage tolerance analysis of NCF composite sandwich panels. Composites Science and Technology, 68, pp. 2635–2645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.04.041.
[14] Vishwas M, Joladarashi S, Kulkarni SM., 2019. Investigation on the effect of using rubber as core material in sandwich composite plate subjected to low-velocity normal and oblique impact loadings. Scientia Iranica, 26, pp. 897–907. https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2018.5538.1331.
[15] Buitrago BL, Santiuste C, Sánchez-Sáez S, Barbero E, Navarro C., 2010. Modelling of composite sandwich structures with honeycomb core subjected to high-velocity impact. Composite Structure, 92, pp. 2090–2096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2009.10.013.
[16] Kamgar R, Heidarzadeh H, Babadaei Samani MR., 2021. Evaluation of buckling load and dynamic performance of steel shear wall retrofitted with strips made of shape memory alloy. Scientia Iranica, 28, pp. 1096–1108. https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2020.52994.2991.
[17] Nagiredla S., Joladarashi S., Kumar H., 2023. Characterization of an in-house prepared magnetorheological fluid and vibrational behavior of composite sandwich beam with magnetorheological fluid core. Scientia Iranica, 30, pp. 983–996. https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2022.58527.5777.
[18] Vishwas M., Joladarashi S., Kulkarni SM., 2020. Comparative study of damage behavior of synthetic and natural ber-reinforced brittle composite and natural ber-reinforced flexible composite subjected to low-velocity impact. Scientia Iranica, 27, pp. 341–349. https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2018.51294.2100.
[19] Ahmad MR., Wan Ahmad WY., Salleh J., Samsuri A., 2007. Performance of Natural Rubber Coated Fabrics under Ballistic Impact. Malaysian Polymer Journal, 2, pp. 39–51.
[20] Stelldinger E., Kühhorn A., Kober M., 2016. Experimental evaluation of the low-velocity impact damage resistance of CFRP tubes with integrated rubber layer. Composite Structure, 139, pp. 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.11.069.
[21] Zenkert D. Impact Damage in Sandwich Beams – Investigation 2017. https://doi.org/10.1106/109963603024584.
[22] Khalili MR, Malekzadeh K, Mittal RK., 2007. Effect of physical and geometrical parameters on transverse low-velocity impact response of sandwich panels with a transversely flexible core. Composite Structure, 77, pp. 430–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2005.07.016.
[23] Rahimijonoush A., Bayat M., 2020. Experimental and numerical studies on the ballistic impact response of titanium sandwich panels with different face sheets thickness ratios. Thin-Walled Structure, 157, 107079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2020.107079.
[24] Khaire N., Tiwari G., Iqbal MA., 2021. Energy absorption characteristic of sandwich shell structure against conical and hemispherical nose projectile. Composite Structure, 258, 113396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.113396.
[25] Abrate S., 2011. Impact Engineering of Composite Structures. Springer, 2011th edition (30 January 2013); CISM Courses and Lectures, Vol 526.
[26] Loganathan SB., Shivanand HK., 2015. Effect of Core Thickness and Core Density on Low-Velocity Impact Behavior of Sandwich Panels with PU Foam Core. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 03, pp. 164–170. https://doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2015.33019.
[27] Arunavathi S., Eithiraj RD., Veluraja K., 2017. Physical and mechanical properties of jute fiber and jute fiber reinforced paper bag with tamarind seed gum as a binder - An eco-friendly material. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1832. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4980228.
[28] Mohan Kumar, T. S., Krishna M., Joladarashi S., Kulkarni SM., 2020. Alkali absorption and durability studies on CFRP laminated composites. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2247. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0003800.
[29] Mohan Kumar T.S., Joladarashi S., Kulkarni SM., Doddamani S., 2023. Optimization of process parameters for ballistic impact response of hybrid sandwich composites. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing, 17, pp. 1099–1111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-022-01061-2.
[30] Lopes CS, Camanho PP, Gürdal Z, Maimí P., González E V., 2009. Low-velocity impact damage on dispersed stacking sequence laminates. Part II: Numerical simulations. Composite Science and Technology, 69, pp. 937–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2009.02.015.
[31] Vu-Bac N., Duong TX., Lahmer T., Zhuang X., Sauer RA., Park HS., 2018. A NURBS-based inverse analysis for reconstruction of nonlinear deformations of thin shell structures. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 331, pp. 427–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2017.09.034.
[32] Vu-Bac N., Duong TX., Lahmer T., Areias P., Sauer RA., Park HS., 2019. A NURBS-based inverse analysis of thermal expansion induced morphing of thin shells. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 350, pp. 480–510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2019.03.011.
[33] Doddamani S., Kulkarni SM., Joladarashi S., T S MK, Gurjar AK., 2023. Analysis of lightweight natural fiber composites against ballistic impact: A review. International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, 6, pp. 450–468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2023.01.003.
[34] Sangamesh, Ravishankar KS., Kulkarni SM., 2018. Ballistic Impact Study on Jute-Epoxy and Natural Rubber Sandwich Composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5, pp. 6916–6923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.353.
[35] Mahesh V., Joladarashi S., Kulkarni SM., 2019. Study on Stacking Sequence of Plies in Green Sandwiches for Low Velocity Impact Application, Key Engineering Materials, 801, pp. 59–64. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.801.59.
Mechanics of Advanced Composite Structures
Volume 12, Issue 3 - Serial Number 26
In Progress
November 2025
Pages 483-496

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics