Multi-scale characterization and in-plane crushing behavior of the elliptical anti-chiral honeycomb

•A novel elliptical anti-chiral (EAC) honeycomb structure is proposed by replacing the straight cell walls of the criss-cross anti-chiral (CAC) honeycomb with elliptical cell walls.•Both numerical and experimental results reveal the existence of a plateau stage and an enhancement stage in the stress–strain curves of the EAC honeycomb.•Larger semi-axis length ratio results in larger plateau stress and densification strain, while smaller semi-axis length ratio means larger initial peak stress and plateau strain.•The empirical formulas of critical impact velocity and plateau stress are further derived.