Multi-functional sandwich composites

Sandwich composites find increasing use as flexural load bearing lightweight sub-elements in air / space vehicles, rail / ground transportation, marine and sporting goods. The core in these applications is usually balsa wood, foam or honeycomb with laminated carbon or glass facesheets. A limitation of traditional sandwich configurations is that the space in the core becomes inaccessible once the facesheets are bonded in place. Significant multi-functional benefits can be obtained by making either the facesheets or the core, space accessible. Multi-functionality is generally referred to as value added to the structure that enhances functions beyond traditional load bearing. Such functions may include sound / vibration damping, ability to route wires or embed sensors. The present work reviews recent work done in enhancing the functionality of the core by use of the space in the core. The damage created by impact to sandwich constructions is always a limiting issue in design. In the present work, low velocity impact (LVI) response of newer/multi-functional sandwich constructions has been studied. Concepts of increasing sandwich core functionality have been reported.