Effect of graphite content on the dynamic behavior of sandwich panel under low velocity impact

Abstract

Experimental investigations had been done in this work to demonstrate the effect of graphite filler contents on the dynamic behavior of (30%) weight fraction glass-polyester sandwich panel under low velocity impact. The composite sandwich panels are manufactured using the honeycomb core and laminated composite face sheets. The wet hand layup technique is used. The mechanical properties were tested based on ASTM D-638. The panel is fixed from three sides and the other is free. The impact load is applied. The dynamic response of the plate is measured using vibration data collector (TVC 200). The panel is supported also on a rigid foundation. The steel impactor of 15 kg weight dropped from 2 m height. The deformation is measured using vernier caliper. The results showed that the mechanical properties are improved when the graphite filler content increased up to 7.5% and then decreased after that. The same dynamic behaviors were obtained but differ in magnitude. The minimum deflection and deformation takes at 7.5% filler content for both face and core. At 7.5% filler content the deflection and deformation decreased by 28% and 60% respectively less than the unfilled panel. The effects of using different faces with the same core have a little variation.

Keywords

• dynamic behavior
• sandwich panel
• composite material