Effects of Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Low-Velocity Impact Response of Sandwich Plates

One method to reduce the damage caused by low-velocity impact in sandwich composites is using nanoparticles as the reinforcement material in the face sheets. the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different weights of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of face sheets and response of sandwich plates that undergo low-velocity impact through experimental investigations. the face sheets are made of nano-modified epikote 828 with triethylenetetramine as the curing agent, and a core of polyurethane foam. the functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed into the epoxy system in 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% weight-to-matrix. the low-velocity impact test was performed using a drop tower impact machine, at two different energy levels. the stress-strain, history of contact force, velocity-time, absorbed energy-time and force-deflection are plotted and some parameters such as elastic modulus, tensile strength, bounce time, upward velocity, peak load and maximum deflection are reported. the tensile test results show that with the slight increase in the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes, the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength are improved. also, the minor amount of carbon nanotubes reduce bounce time, residual deformation, and maximum deflection and increase peak load in the sandwich plate. in addition, carbon nanotubes reduce the damaged area.