Abstract
In this study, the hygro–thermo–mechanical responses of balsa core sandwich structured composite was investigated by using experimental, analytical and numerical results. These investigations were performed on two types of specimen conditions: dry and moisture saturation sandwich composite specimens that are composed of E-glass/polyester skins bonded to a balsa core. The wet specimens were immersed in distilled water at 40 °C until saturated with water. The both dry and wet sandwich composite specimens were heated by fire. The mass loss kinetic and the mechanical properties were investigated by using a cone calorimeter following the ISO 5660 standard and three-point bending mechanical test device. Experimental data show that the permeability and fire resistance of the sandwich structure are controlled by two composite skins. Obtained results allow us to understand the Hygro–Thermo–Mechanical Responses of the sandwich structured composite under application conditions.
Highlights
The use of organic matrix composite materials has been continuously growing since the 1960s
We were analysing the h hygro–thermo–mechanical responses of a sandwich structure composed of fiber-E-glass embedded in a polyester matrix, for the composition of the skins bonded to a balsa core
We focus on determining the mass loss kinetic and flexural behaviour under fire of the two types of dry and wet composite sandwich samples by using a cone calorimeter and a
Summary
The use of organic matrix composite materials has been continuously growing since the 1960s. It is important to know the residual mechanical properties at room temperature of a burnt sandwich composite material in order to estimate the fire resistance of this structure after a fire exposure [9,10,11,12,13,15,21,22,23,24,25] In this context, we were analysing the h hygro–thermo–mechanical responses of a sandwich structure composed of fiber-E-glass embedded in a polyester matrix, for the composition of the skins bonded to a balsa core. This study enables the evaluation of the elastic modulus E and flexural load of the remaining sandwich structure material after enduring harsh working conditions such as exposure in water-fire
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