Study of impact performance of composite sandwich structure fabricated partially with natural fiber facesheet

Abstract Composite structures with a pure glass composite facesheet and an aluminum honeycomb core are widely used in aircraft interiors. Because impact‐related problems are related to structural integrity and safety performance, the behavior of these structures under impact loading is critical. Due to their promising performance, lower cost, and low environmental impact, hybrid composites have recently become one of the most widely researched composite materials in the research field. This paper aims to investigate the impact behavior of nonhybrid glass and the glass partially replaced with a flax and kenaf hybrid composite facesheet caused by a low‐velocity impact. The specimens were impacted with different impacted energies, such as 10, 20, and 30 J. All nonimpacted and impacted samples were tested and compared for postimpact flexural (three‐point bending) behavior to analyze the residual strength of sandwich structures after impact. The results revealed that the hybrid composite face sheet outperformed the glass composite sandwich structure. The hybrid composite face sheet allowed the impactor to penetrate deeper, resulting in better energy absorption than the glass composite. Compared to nonimpacted specimens, the glass and hybrid face sheet combinations demonstrated comparable residual bending performance. Highlights Experimental analysis shows the impact resistance (low‐velocity impact test) and residual load‐carrying capacity (three‐point bending test) of glass and hybrid composite face sheets. Hybrid face sheets show excellent energy‐absorbing capability compared to glass one. The residual flexural strength of the glass and hybrid composites was comparable to that of nonimpacted samples. The peel strength achieved in this study using the pre‐cure fabrication process was significantly higher than the peel strength achieved using prepreg face sheets. Reinforcing the composite face sheet of the sandwich structure by partially replacing the glass with flax and kenaf fiber exhibited comparable performance.