Experimental and numerical studies of the anti-penetration performance of sandwich panels with aluminum foam cores

Effects of face-sheet thickness and core thickness of sandwich panels, and shape of projectiles on the penetration resistance of sandwich panels were discussed, while typical penetration failure modes were presented. It was shown that the anti-penetration performance of sandwich panels was enhanced with the increase of face-sheet or core thickness; The penetration resistance of sandwich panels was shown to be strongest to blunt-shaped projectile impacts, weaker to hemispherical-nose-shaped projectile impacts, and weakest to conical-shaped projectile impacts. The corresponding numerical simulation was carried out using the finite element code LS-DYNA V970. Numerical results showed that the penetration time decreased with the increase of projectile impact velocity.