Fabrication and mechanical characterization of CFRP X-core sandwich panels: Fid-Bau Portal

Fabrication and mechanical characterization of CFRP X-core sandwich panels

Mei, J. / Tan, P.J. / Bosi, F. / Zhang, T. / Liu, J.Y. / Wang, B. / Huang, W.

Abstract A hot-press molding technique is developed to design and manufacture carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) X-core sandwich panels that allowed both the composite face sheets and its X-core to be simultaneously molded together. Compression tests were performed on the sandwich panels to assess the effects of relative density on its compressive properties and the failure mode that it develops. Analytical models were developed to predict the panel stiffness and strength; and a failure map of its deformation mode is generated based on the geometric parameters of the unit cell. Linear and nonlinear finite element analyses were performed to further investigate the effects of initial geometric imperfection and progressive damage on the response of the sandwich panels with different cell wall slenderness. Predictions from analytical and numerical models will be shown to be in good agreement with the experiments. The CFRP X-core sandwich panels will be shown to attain good compressive properties that are comparable to typical high strength cellular materials, which will be potentially useful for lightweighting applications.

Highlights • The compressive properties of CFRP X-core sandwich panels are investigated experimentally, analytically and numerically. • A failure mechanism map is generated based on the geometric parameters of the unit cell. • Nonlinear finite element analyses are performed to investigate the effects of initial geometric imperfection and progressive damage on the response of the sandwich panels with different cell wall slenderness. • The CFRP X-core sandwich panels attain compressive properties higher or comparable to other cellular materials, with potential applications in lightweight structures.