Low-Velocity Impact Response of a Protection Plate with a Composite Asymmetrical Sandwich Structure: Models and Experiments

This study examines the response of a composite material protection plate with an asymmetrical sandwich structure under low-velocity impact. The protection plate with an asymmetrical sandwich structure is constructed with materials such as polypropylene/glass fiber composites (PP/GFs), a steel plate, and a regular hexagonal honeycomb Al plate (Al honeycomb). The effects of the steel plate and Al honeycomb’s strength and thickness on the deformation behavior of the protection plate, as well as the influence of contact strength on the energy absorption of the Al honeycomb, were studied by combining models and experiments. A finite element model was established using Abaqus/Expliced software (2018), and the mechanical property parameters of each layer were simulated to analyze the greatest impact resistance of the protection plate. The experimental results show that the higher strength of the Al honeycomb can effectively improve the impact resistance of the protection plate. The energy absorption of the steel plate and the Al honeycomb accounted for 34.30% and 20.90%, respectively, and the damage area was more concentrated, making the protection plate more durable.