Impact performance of nanophased foam core sandwich composites

In this study, sandwich panels were fabricated with neat and nanophased foam core and three-layered plain weave carbon fabric/Sc-15 epoxy composite face sheets. Neat and nanophased foam cores with Nanocor® I-28E nanoclay at a loading of 0.5% and 1% by weight were prepared. Sandwich panels were then fabricated using co-injection resin transfer molding process. Samples of size 100 mm × 100 mm were then cut from the panels and subjected to low-velocity impact loading using an instrumented impact test setup. Impact response of the panels was recorded and analyzed in terms of peak load, absorbed energy, time and deflection at peak load. The tested samples were then sectioned into two halves and scanned using a scanner, optical and scanning electron microscopes to understand the failure patterns. Samples with nanophased foam sustained higher loads and had lower damage areas as compared with neat counterparts. Nanophased foam cores exhibited relatively more brittle fracture.