Abstract

The present study investigates novel carbon fiber sandwich composites reinforced with lightweight pumice. Four types of sandwich composites are manufactured by varying the pumice content in 0, 3, 6 and 9 wt%. Composites are manufactured by casting the core first using an open mold, and the sandwich composites are prepared using a closed mold. Particle size analysis reveals the average size of pumice particles to be around 62.44 μm. Density of the sandwich composites decreases by 7 % with an increase in the pumice particle content from 0 to 9 wt%. The impact resistance of the sandwich composites increased with the increase in pumice content up to 6 wt% (CP-0, CP-3 and CP-9) and decreased at 9 wt% (CP-9). The energy absorbed by CP-0, CP-3, CP-6 and CP-9 was measured as 13.27, 24.69, 31.65 and 8.83 J, respectively. A notable increase of 86 % and 138 % in energy absorption was observed with 3 % and 6 % pumice content compared to CP-0. Compression after impact of impact-tested specimens reveals a compressive strength of 31, 35, 39 and 43 MPa for CP-0, CP-3, CP-6 and CP-9, respectively, indicating a 26 % and 39 % enhancement of CP-6 and CP-9 composites compared with CP-0 composites. Scanning electron micrographs of specimens after compression were performed to analyze the structure-property correspondences. Finally, numerical simulations to validate the conclusions of the study were performed.