High velocity impact response of carbon nanotubes-reinforced composite sandwich panels

Effect of adding carboxyl-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) on the high velocity impact of sandwich panels with plywood core and two different facesheets, E-glass/epoxy and E-glass/ nylon 6, was investigated in this study. Facesheets were prepared with and without COOH-MWCNTs. Three different weight percentages of 0.3, 0.5, and 1 wt% of COOH-MWCNTs were used to reinforce epoxy and nylon 6 polymers. The sandwich panels’ estimated ballistic limit ( Vbl) and impact energy absorbed ( Eab) were determined by subjecting them to impact velocities in their ballistic limit range and above by conical nose projectile. It was found that the sandwich panels containing E-glass/ epoxy facesheets exhibited more energy absorption than those containing E-glass/nylon 6 facesheets. Moreover, the high velocity impact response of sandwich panels improved with the increase of COOH-MWCNT content. Besides, the damage area for different types of materials studied is presented, and it is observed that at a given impact velocity, the damage size on the rear facesheet of target around the point of impact decreases on addition of COOH-MWCNTs.