Compression 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 integrated 3D composite sandwich structure, is designed, fabricated, and studied. The integrated 3D composite sandwich structure inherits the advantages and improves the shortcomings of the traditional foam core composite sandwich structures. All types of the samples with different consisting materials and structural parameters are tested and analyzed under compressive load. The results show that the compressive 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 and the foam support each other. Moreover, the support effect is more obvious for the better toughness foam. And the structural parameters have significant influence on the out-of-plane compressive properties, especially the diameter of composite columns and the distance between composite columns. However, the variety of these parameters results in a corresponding change of the mass and then effect the specific compressive properties. Consequently, it is necessary to find a balance among these parameters in order to get the optimal properties.