Flexural properties of lightweight carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite sandwiches with different fiber directions

Abstract

In this study, structurally efficient carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) sandwiches were developed via introducing pumice/Mg composite foams as new core material. The effects of the fiber direction (0°, 45°, 90°) on the mechanical properties of CFRP laminates and composite sandwiches were studied. Compared with 45°-CFRP and 90°-CFRP laminates, 0°-CFRP laminate exhibits outstanding flexural properties due to different failure modes. Correspondingly, the 0°-CFRP/PMSF composite sandwiches exhibit higher flexural strength than 45°-CFRP/PMSF and 90°-CFRP/PMSF composite sandwiches. The as-prepared composite sandwiches are lightweight and have higher specific strength than some traditional sandwiches. The different flexural behaviors of three types of sandwiches were observed to explain the failure mechanisms.

Keywords

• carbon fiber reinforced plastic
• sandwiches
• flexural properties
• failure mode