Experimental analysis of behavior and damage of sandwich composite materials in three-point bending. part 1. static tests and stiffness degradation at failure studies

Abstract

The analysis of stiffness and the identification of rupture mechanisms during and after static tests of sandwich panels and their components have been investigated. The sandwich panels, having cross-ply laminates skins made of glass fibre and epoxy resin were manufactured by vacuum moulding and subjected to three-point bending tests. Two polyvinyl chloride cores of similar type but with differing densities were investigated. The effect of core density and its thickness on the behavior and the damage was highlighted. In terms of stiffness and load at failure, the sandwich structure has better mechanical characteristics compared to its components