Low-velocity impact experiment and analysis of sandwich structure composites

The low-velocity impact tests on sandwich structures composed of glass cloth facesheet and different cores which are PMI foams, X-PVC foams, NOMEX honeycomb, stitched PMI foams and grooved PMI foams. The Influential factors, which include different kinds, different thickness of cores and facesheets and interfacial reinforcement techniques on stitching and grooving were studied. The test results show that PMI foam core has higher impact load and energy absorption than X-PVC foam core and NOMEX honeycomb. The impact damage load and energy of sandwich improve with the increase of thickness of facesheets and density of cores. Reasonable stitching and grooving can enhance the strength and rigidity of the sandwich structure, interface property and the resistance of impact.