Mechanical Behaviour of Sandwich Composites in Automotive Applications

Abstract

Sandwich composite materials have potential in an automotive structure application due to the high flexural stiffness, high flexural strength-to-weight ratio, weight saving and reduced power consumption. Various combinations of sandwich structures with core and face sheet were available, namely, metal core/metal face sheet, metal core/fibre reinforced composite face sheet, honeycomb structured core/fibre reinforced composite face sheet, polymer core/fibre reinforced composite face sheet and many more. These sandwich composites used in automotive materials are subjected to quasi-static and fatigue loading. Sandwich composite structures are complex and made of two or more different-propertied materials; their failure and damage characteristics are also complex and need to understand. To understand these possible failures, numerous researches were carried out with different combinations of core and face sheet materials. This chapter demonstrates the quasi-static and fatigue behaviour characteristics of various sandwich composites structures. Also, the failure mechanism associated with static and fatigue loads are elaborated with a case study of automotive leaf spring. These studies will help researchers in selection of sandwich composite materials in an automotive application.