Response of aramid honeycomb sandwich panels subjected to intense impulse loading by Mylar flyer

The deformation/failure modes and impact resistance of composite sandwich panels with titanium alloy plates and aramid honeycomb cores subjected to intense impulse loading were investigated experimentally using electric gun technique. A velocity measuring instrument, known as the velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR), measured the velocity history at the mid-point of the back plates. Typical deformation/failure modes were analyzed and classified systematically, and then a comparison of structural deformation resistance between sandwich panels and plates of equivalent mass was studied. It was found that both the deformation/failure modes and the dynamic response of the plates were sensitive to the impact velocity. The impact resistance of sandwich panels could be improved by core crushing and deformation of the front plate. Finally, effects of impact velocity and boundary conditions on the dynamic response of sandwich panels were identified. It was worth noting that the fully clamped boundary reduced the damage extent of the front plate, but increased the local plastic deformation of the back plate.