Symmetrical Napcore and Honeycomb Sandwich Structures under Impact Load

Sandwich structures are state of the art for construction of lightweight structures with high mechanical load capacity. Beside established core materials like foams, honeycombs or wood, napcore material is an interesting option when economic production costs or the possibility to integrate extra functionality are criteria in addition to specified mechanical values. Napcore material is made from a two-dimensional resin-impregnated knitted fabric that is shaped into a three-dimensional nap structure and stabilized by the cured resin matrix. In this paper the mechanical behavior under low velocity impact loads of sandwich structures made with napcores from aramide textile and phenolic resin is investigated and compared with components containing honeycomb cores.