Design, thermal-mechanical coupling analysis, and optimization of polymeric matrix composite sandwiches with a lattice core exposed to a high temperature

Abstract

This study presents the design of a sandwich structure tailored for post-heat transfer applications subjected to out-of-plane compression. A three-dimensional finite element simulation model was developed to analyze the temperature distribution within the sandwich structure and investigate the effects of high-temperature exposure on its mechanical behaviors. The structure was subjected to a temperature of 300 °C for 400 s, and the temperature distribution at the upper connection point between the top face sheet and the struts of the core was determined. Subsequently, upon returning the sandwich to ambient temperature, a comprehensive calculation of its mechanical properties was conducted and then enhanced by applying different optimization techniques. The results demonstrate that filling the core with Saffil alumina fibers in the presence of a 1.5 mm a thermal barrier coating of Superwool 607 helps increase the mechanical properties of the sandwich structure by around 55%.