Study on the Residual Performance of Composite Sandwich Structure Batteries After Impact Based on DIC

Abstract The demand for lightweight energy storage systems, driven by applications in electric vehicles and aerospace, has led to an increasing need to integrate energy storage into structural materials. Composite sandwich structures, which combine carbon fiber laminates and foam core materials, offer a promising solution by embedding lithium-ion batteries within the core layer. These composite sandwich structure batteries (CSSBs) combine structural support with energy storage functionality, offering advantages such as high strength and energy density. However, research on the damage behavior and residual performance of CSSBs under dynamic loads, especially under high-impact conditions, remains limited, particularly with respect to the interaction between the battery and the composite materials under impact damage. This study investigates the impact damage and post-impact performance of CSSBs. The results indicate that impact significantly degrades the electrochemical performance of CSSBs, with the battery experiencing substantial local stress under the impact energy, leading to interface damage with the composite sandwich structure. Compared to the non-impacted specimens, the mechanical performance of the impacted CSSBs decreases at a slower rate. In the samples with impact damage, the electrochemical recovery after impact is more pronounced, and the interface separation between the battery and composite structure mitigates further performance degradation caused by compression. This study offers new insights into the complex behavior of CSSBs under dynamic loads, emphasizing the critical role of interface integrity between the battery and the composite materials. The findings provide valuable guidance for improving the design and material selection of multifunctional energy storage structural systems, making significant contributions to performance optimization in practical applications where dynamic loads and impacts are prevalent.