Energy absorption characteristics of aluminum sandwich panels with Shear Thickening Fluid (STF) filled 3D fabric cores under dynamic loading conditions

In this study, the energy absorption characteristics of aluminum sandwich panels with Shear Thickening Fluid (STF) filled 3D fabric cores was investigated under various loading conditions. The sandwich panel with 5-ply STF-filled 3D fabric (2Al-5STF) showed the highest absorbed energy (3.53 J) in three-point bending test. The 2Al-5STF specimen also demonstrated more resistance under ballistic impact loading than the sandwich panel with 5-ply neat 3D fabric (2Al-5Neat) such that with less average penetration depth presented the highest ballistic resistance. The dynamic compression test showed the STF helped to improve the impact absorption and compressive performance of the sandwich panels. The average peak force applied to the 2Al-5STF sandwich panel (30.5 kN) was 24.5 and 54.6% less than the 2AL-5Neat and 4Al specimens, respectively, and this sandwich panel demonstrated the highest impact absorption (peak force reduction). However, the 2Al-3STF specimen demonstrated the highest peak force reduction per unit areal density, and the 2Al-5Neat specimen demonstrated better reversibility.

Automated summary

The study investigated the energy absorption characteristics of aluminum sandwich panels filled with Shear Thickening Fluid (STF) under various loading conditions. The presence of STF was found to improve impact absorption and compressive performance of the sandwich panels. The 2Al-5STF specimen showed the highest absorbed energy and ballistic impact resistance, while the 2Al-3STF specimen demonstrated the highest peak force reduction per unit areal density and the 2Al-5Neat specimen showed better reversibility.