Evaluating load-bearing and hypervelocity impact shielding capabilities of face-centered cubic lattice core sandwich panels

In the present paper, a comparative study on load-bearing as well as hypervelocity impact shielding performance of sandwich panels with face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice core is numerically performed in order to evaluate their competency in satellite structure applications. To this end, 5A06 aluminum alloy FCC and FCCz beside cube and octahedron lattice structures with similar areal densities were investigated. Whipple shield structure of same material and areal density was also studied in order to be compared to lattice structure in protection field. The present study simulates hypervelocity impact of a spherical projectile with 2 mm diameter, represents the space debris, collides with the structures at the velocity range of 2-6 km/s. Numerical simulation model was validated by performed experimental study. Authors were inspired by cube and FCCz topologies to propose a novel lattice structure could provide outstanding shielding and load-bearing capabilities in comparison to the other structures studied in this research. Furthermore, the detailed effects of projectile impact location on the protection performance were investigated and the mentioned item was found to have considerable influence on the structure shielding performance.