Influence of nanoclay reinforced polyurethane foam toward composite sandwich structure behavior under high velocity impact

Abstract

This study investigates high velocity impact performance of nanoclay reinforced polyurethane foam core composite sandwich panels. The sandwich structure consists of composite facings made from glass fiber woven roving reinforced unsaturated polyester resin and rigid polyurethane foam core with density of 49 kg/m3. High velocity impact tests in the range of 100–140 m/s were conducted with 10.7 g semispherical tip steel projectile. The amounts of nanoclay incorporated in the foam core were 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 3 wt%. Small angle x-ray scattering showed the sample containing 0.5 wt% nanoclay has better clay dispersion. Results showed specimen containing 0.5 wt% nanoclay has the highest impact performance and energy absorption as well as lowest projectile residual velocity for the plates that experienced full perforation. The specimen containing 3 wt% nanoclay showed lowest ballistic performance. The presence of nanoclay in the foam structure resulted in an increase in the number of cells per unit volume and reduced cell size.