Low Velocity Punch-Shear Response of Nanoclay and Graphite Platelet Reinforced Vinyl Ester Plates, Laminated Face Sheets and Sandwich Composites

Focus of our research is on developing stronger, safer and more cost-effective structures for the new generation naval ships; especially nanoparticle reinforced glass/carbon polymeric based composites and structural foams for blast/shock/impact mitigation. Punch-shear test at low velocity impact is significant for mechanical characterization. Gama et al. [1] performed QS-PST experimental methodology to define elastic energy and absorbed energies of composites as a function of penetration displacement. This paper describes the punch-shear response of nanoparticle reinforced vinyl ester plates, laminated face sheets and sandwich composites using Dynatup 8250 drop-weight impact test system according to ASTM D3763 Standard [2]. Low-velocity tests were performed on 4″ × 4″ square plate specimens with fixed circular boundary condition and impacted by a hemispherical-head plunger with added mass. The impact load, displacement, energy plots and visual inspection of the post damaged specimens depicted the failure characteristics and punch shear response of these composites.