Increasing Low-Velocity Impact Strength of Glass Fiber Sandwich Composites with Nanoparticle Reinforced Adhesive

Abstract

The use of sandwich composite structures in the aerospace industry is increasing. Improving the impact and other mechanical properties of sandwich composite panels (SCP) is important for aviation safety. In the manufacture of SCPs, bonding with the lower and upper surfaces of the honeycomb structure is provided by bonding connections. By improving the mechanical properties of the adhesives used in SCP, the mechanical rigidity of the whole structure will be improved. In this study, sandwich composite panels were produced using glass fiber reinforced composite, three different adhesives (pure polyurethane, 0.1% and 0.2% multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane) and an aluminum honeycomb with a cell diameter of 8.86 mm. Low-velocity impact tests were applied to the manufactured sandwich composites at the initial energy level of 50 J. After impact tests, load-time, load-deflection and energy-time graphs were obtained, and the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) contribution was evaluated. Also, the effect of the MWCNT addition on impact properties was determined by making a damage analysis. It was observed that the carbon nanotube addition to the polyurethane adhesive increased the maximum contact force by 3%, improving the low-speed impact properties of SCPs.

Keywords

• sandwich composite panels
• nano adhesive
• carbon nanotube