Bending properties of three-dimensional honeycomb sandwich structure composites: experiment and Finite Element Method simulation

Abstract

This paper fabricated three-dimensional (3D) honeycomb sandwich structure fabrics with three different cross-section shapes on an ordinary loom by reasonable design with low cost. The 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composites were fabricated by the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Then, the bending properties of 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composites with different cross-section shapes were tested. The results showed that the 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composite with a hexagonal cross-section shape had the maximum load, the 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composite with a triquetrous cross-section shape had the minimum load and the 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composite with a quadrangular cross-section shape had a load between the two. The bending failure mode showed that the 3D honeycomb sandwich structure composite had a typical bending failure mode with compression failure in the front and tensile failure in the back. Finally, the load–displacement curves and failure mode were obtained by FEM (Finite Element Method) simulation with ABAQUS software. The good agreements of comparisons proved the validity of the FEM.