Vibration and flexural characterization of hybrid honeycomb core sandwich panels filled with different energy absorbing materials

Vibrational analysis and flexural behavior of hybrid honeycomb core sandwich panels filled with three different energy absorbing materials is experimentally investigated in this work. Sandwich panels are developed using vacuum bag molding technique with hybrid fiber of 70% carbon fiber and 30% of 'E' glass fiber. For vibrational analysis, the displacement signal from the sensor is measured in a PC using DEWE software analysis system by setting the sampling rate of 6000 Hz. The natural frequency of PUF, Rohacell and wheat husk filled sandwich panel is observed under cantilever and fixed boundary conditions. Flexural test is performed at a crosshead displacement rate of 1 mm min(-1) using universal testing machine. The combination of energy absorbing material filled sandwich panels had effectually enhanced the interfacial strength thereby increased the damping properties of all panels sufficiently. On comparing the natural frequency, damping factor and flexural properties of the three sandwich panels, PUF filled panel exhibits good behavior. The results obtained from both experimental and analytical values are in good agreement. The investigation leads to a light novel hybrid honeycomb sandwich panels that can be used for several applications, in particular for aircraft structural applications, such as airplane floors, doors, wings flaps, rudders and helicopter fuselages.