Quantitative Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of the Impact Resistance of Polymer‐Based Sandwich Composites for Mine Protective Equipment

ABSTRACT Developments in personal protective equipment (PPE) are moving toward lightweight, temperature‐resistant sandwich materials, particularly in the mining industry for high‐impact scenarios. This study employed orthogonal experimental design and multiscale mechanical testing to systematically investigate the parametric sensitivity of the impact resistance of sandwich materials, exploring their feasibility as impact protection equipment for mine workers. By constructing an L18(3 7 ) experimental matrix and combining drop‐weight and Hopkinson pressure bar tests, the study quantitatively analyzed the contribution of faceplate type/thickness, core density/thickness, and impact temperature to the mechanical response of the materials under different strain rates. The results showed that the dominant response component of the material varies with the strain rate: under low‐speed impact, the face layer dominates the mechanical response ( p < 0.05), while the core thickness exhibits a nonlinear influence on energy absorption. The optimal energy absorption occurred when the ratio of the total thickness to the core thickness was approximately 1.5. The impact temperature affected the energy absorption process but not the results in low‐speed scenarios. In high‐speed impacts, the core density significantly influenced the mechanical response ( p < 0.05), with the energy absorption increasing with density; the temperature sensitivity was weakened by dynamic inertial effects as the load duration was shorter than the thermal conduction time. This research can help screen key parameters for the multiobjective optimization of mine protection equipment, providing theoretical support for developing human protective materials with excellent impact resistance and temperature tolerance.