Ainin, F. NurAzaman, M.D.Majid, M.S. AbdulRidzuan, M.J.M.Ferreira, Luis Miguel MarquesCoelho, Carlos A.C.P.2025-01-202025-01-202024-12Ainin, F.N., Azaman, M.D., Majid, M.S.A., Ridzuan, M.J.M., Ferreira, L.M.M. y Coelho, C.A.C.P. (2024). Effect of 3D-Printed Hexagonal Honeycomb Core Density of PLAWood Based Subjected to Low-Velocity Impact. Journal of Natural Fibre Polymer Composites (JNFPC), 3 (2), 1-9.2921-3289https://hdl.handle.net/11441/167055Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has become the preferred method for fabricating lightweight sandwich composite structures, due to its ability to produce complex designs rapidly. However, these structures are susceptible to performance decline and potential damage, especially under impact loading in engineering applications. This study investigates the low-velocity impact characteristics of 3D-printed hexagonal honeycomb cores made from wood-filled polylactic acid (PLA) with unit cell sizes of 6, 8, and 10 mm. Energy absorption and failure mechanisms were assessed through drop-weight impact testing at an energy level of 11 J, with results analyzed using a stereo microscope. The findings demonstrate that unit cell size significantly impacts the performance of sandwich composite structures. Smaller unit cells increase core density, leading to enhanced energy absorption capabilities. The medium-density 8 mm unit cell is identified as the optimal structure for lightweight materials, offering efficient energy absorption and intermediate failure modes. While lighter than the high-density 6 mm unit cell, the 8 mm unit cell absorbs a comparable amount of energy (8 mm: 9.22 J, 6 mm: 9.61 J). Furthermore, this medium-density cell outperforms the low-density 10 mm unit cell, which absorbs only 7.44 J, due to its intermediate stiffness that better resists substantial deformation compared to the lower-density structure.application/pdf9 p.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Additive ManufacturingSandwich Composite StructureLow-Velocity ImpactEnergy AbsorptionFailure Mechanisminfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess