Post impact flexural behavior investigation of hybrid foam-core sandwich composites at extreme Arctic temperature

Abstract

This study explores the post-impact bending behavior and failure mechanisms in hybrid sandwich composites made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP). Flexural tests conducted at both ambient room temperature and low temperature Arctic conditions reveal a significant enhancement in flexural performance when GFRP layer is incorporated on the outer side of the hybrid composite. The investigation utilizes images from testing to elucidate damage modes, including fiber and matrix cracking in the composite facesheet, as well as core shearing and debonding in the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam core. Residual flexural properties are notably influenced by stacking sequence, facesheet compressive properties, pre-existing impact damage and temperature conditions. Analytical predictions, validated experimentally, highlight the effect of stacking sequence, low temperature, and impact energy on flexural collapse modes, with competing failure modes such as indentation and core shear. Collapse maps indicate that room temperature specimens predominantly collapse through indentation, while diverse collapse mechanisms emerge due to facesheet thickness, rigidity, and degraded tensile strength. The study aims to provide fundamental insights for future composite designs tailored for Arctic applications.