Preliminary Evaluation of the Crashworthiness Properties of Sandwich Composite Panels with 3D Printed Cores

In recent years, sandwich composite panels have gained significant attention due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent energy absorption capability, and structural efficiency under impact and crash conditions. These panels, which consist of lightweight cores enclosed between stiff face sheets, are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and marine applications. Previous research on energy absorption mechanisms, failure modes, and the influence of core materials on crash performance has highlighted the advantages of various core configurations in improving Specific Energy Absorption (SEA). Among these, 3D-printed cores stand out for their design flexibility, efficient manufacturing process, and ability to customise mechanical properties through geometric optimisation. The present study investigates the crash behaviour of sandwich composite panels with 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) cores by examining different core geometries and configurations through an experimental campaign.