Investigation of Low-Speed Impact Performance of SMA Glass Fiber Hybrid Composite Sandwich Panels

Abstract Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) represent a class of advanced smart materials that have gained significant traction in the realm of composite material applications over the past few decades. This study utilizes the VARI technique to fabricate four distinct configurations of composite sandwich panels. Low-speed impact tests were conducted at an impact energy level of 25 J, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of structural damage modes and dynamic mechanical responses. The investigation elucidates the failure mechanisms and the impact of SMA on the impact resistance of the composite structures. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of a single SMA layer within the structure leads to a 23.32% increase in the maximum load-bearing capacity. Moreover, when the number of fiber layers is constant, positioning the SMA on the lower face of the sandwich structure significantly enhances impact performance compared to placement on the upper face. Additionally, an increase in the quantity of SMA layers correlates with improved low-speed impact resistance; specifically, an increase in SMA layers from one to two results in a 5.73% enhancement in the maximum load capacity of the fiber-reinforced sandwich panel.