Flexural performance of integrated 3D composite sandwich structures

Abstract

A new type of 3D composite sandwich structure with foam core reinforced by composite columns, which can be called an integrated 3D composite sandwich structure, was designed, fabricated, and studied. The integrated 3D composite sandwich structure inherited the advantages and improved the shortcomings of the traditional foam core composite sandwich structures. All types of the samples with different consisting materials and structural parameters were tested and analyzed under bending load. The results show that the flexural properties of the integrated 3D composite sandwich structures are obviously better than those of the traditional foam core composite sandwich structures and due to the fact that the composite columns strengthen and stiffen the foam core. Moreover, this effect is more obvious for the better mechanical properties foam. And the structural parameters have significant influence on the flexural properties, especially the thicknesses of face sheet and foam core. However, the variety of these parameters results in a corresponding change of the mass and then effect the specific flexural properties. Consequently, it is necessary to find a balance among these parameters in order to get the optimal properties.