Influence of Matrix Modifications by Nano-Clay on the Mechanical Characteristics of Sandwich Panels

Abstract

Composite Sandwich panels find wide applications in areas like aerospace, automobile, marine, and civil infrastructures due to its exceptional properties like high specific strength, flexural stiffness, resistance to corrosion, specific energy absorption, acoustic and damping features. However, the de-bonding of face and core is the most critical failure in sandwich panels. In this study, the interfacial bonding between glass-fiber face sheets and aluminum-honeycomb sandwich composites and their mechanical behavior was investigated under flexural load. The influence of loading rates on the flexural properties of sandwich panels was also assessed. The viability and influence of resin-fillet reinforcement and interfacial toughening by the inclusion of nano clay in the glass-fiber face sheets and aluminum-honeycomb core were studied. The presence of resin and nano clay at the interface and fillet of honeycomb core effectually act as a composite. The concentration of nano-clay in the face sheet and honeycomb core sandwich laminates had increased the interfacial toughness, thereby increased the flexural properties of the panels. Furthermore, increasing the content of nano-clay had a higher effect, whereas, the loading rate had a moderate effect on the failure load of sandwich panels.