Low-velocity impact behaviour of sandwich structures: a comprehensive review

This review provides an extensive look at how low-velocity impact (LVI) functions in sandwich structures, including their design, construction, testing, factors which influence them, and their application in industry. The introduction discusses the significance that sandwich structures are for minimising damage from impacts. These structures have lightweight cores (like foam or honeycomb) sandwiched between stiff face sheets. various methods for making sandwich structures, such as hand lay-up, vacuum infusion, and additive manufacturing, are looked at to see how they can change the properties of structures. Then the testing methods, the failure modes and the impact behaviour of the sandwich structures were discussed. Also, the numerical simulation of the LVI sandwich structure and the application in various sectors also discussed in detail. To create effective sandwich structures for aerospace, marine, and construction applications, lightweight and strong materials are essential. Prepreg lay-up and AFP are suited for aerospace due to superior mechanical properties but incur higher costs, while vacuum infusion is recommended for larger structures like marine hulls. Hand layup is cost-efficient for small volumes but demands skilled labour. Additive manufacturing holds promise for complex designs, although it is currently limited to small prototypes due to material constraints. Key factors affecting product quality include fibre properties, laminate thickness, matrix characteristics, and environmental conditions. For enhanced low-velocity impact (LVI) performance, incorporating advanced materials, computational modelling, automation, multifunctional capabilities, and sustainability measures into the fabrication process is critical.