Preparation and experimental study on anti-penetration capability of the interlocking lattice sandwich plate filled with ceramic rods and hybrid fillers

For exploring lightweight protective structures, a type of lattice sandwich plate and its preparation method are introduced, and anti-penetration capability is investigated. This lattice sandwich structure includes two metal sheets and multimetal pyramidal lattice trusses, which is prepared based on the three-dimensional interlocking process, parallel ceramic rods, and hybrid fillers mixed with chopped glass fibers and epoxy resins. Mechanical properties of lattice structures with different relative densities are compared. Then, penetration experiments with ball-shaped projectiles on this plate and a contrast structure with no ceramic rods are performed, so that the failure modes, anti-penetration mechanisms, and impact absorption efficiency can be initially explored. The results indicate that this process introduced is suitable for any conductive material, with no requirement of strong plasticity and liquidity; deformation processes of lattice structures with different truss width are similar, and inelastic buckling model can describe the failure mode and compression limit well. Owing to the macrobending deformation of the main metal sheets, severe plastic deformation, and shear reaming of the lattice trusses, smash and failure of ceramic rods and hybrid fillers occur, which bring about much energy absorption. A significant anti-penetration capability of this plate is shown with energy absorption rate being 75% approximately.