Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Interfacial studies in fatigue behavior of sandwich structures of polyurethane foam (PUF) core and fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) outer skins were carried out using three-point bending test according to ASTM-C393. Three types of specimens, namely, Epoxy/Glass-PUFEpoxy/Glass (EPE), Polyester/Glass-PUF-Polyester/Glass (PPP) and Epoxy/Glass-PUF-Polyester/ Glass (EPP) were considered for investigation. The fatigue response of all three types of sandwich structures exhibited two distinct regions, namely, steady region and deteriorating region. In steady region, while EPE specimens showed the highest bending fatigue strength due to the superior properties of the interfaces between the skin and the core, PPP specimens showed the lowest fatigue properties. In deteriorating region, while all the three types of specimens showed drastic reduction in bending fatigue strength, the overall stiffness degradation was the highest in EPE and the lowest in PPP specimens. Debonding and sliding between the skin and the foam at the interface caused stiffness degradation, due to which the sandwich structures failed at the interface and not at the skin level. The fatigue failure mechanism was studied using finite element analysis (FEA).

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Gentle, C.R. and Lacey, M.R. (1999). Design of a Novel Insulated Construction Material , Material and Design, 20(6): 311–315 .

2. Bannister, M.K., Braemar, R. and Crothers, P.J. (1999). Mechanical Performance of 3D Woven Sandwich Composites , Composite Structures, 47(1): 687–690 .

3. Anon (2000). Foaming Solution al Italiano, Insulation n Jul., 16–17.

4. Albus and Stefan (2001). Heat Management , Kunststoffe Plast Europe, 91(1): 42–44 .

5. Marshall, Mary and Batchelder, Bruce (1997). Use of Directed Fiber Preforms in Automotive Bumper Beam Components , Composites for Real World International SAMPE Technical Conference, Vol. 29, pp. 1–10 91997, m SAMPE, Covina, CA, USA.

6. Palle, S. (1997). Thermal Insulation of Flow Lines with Polyurethane Foam, In: Construction & Installation/ Field Drilling and Development System Offshore Technology conference , Annual Proceedings, Vol. 3, pp. 365–367 , e. Richardson, TX, USA.

7. Anon (Nov 2000). Introducing the Sandwich Plate System: A New Technique in Shipbuilding, Naval Architect, pp. 10–11.

8. Lingaih, K. and Suryanarayana, B.G. (1991). Strength and Stiffness of Sandwich Beam in Bending , Experimental Mechanics, 31(1): 1–7 .

9. Huang, Jong-Shin, Gibson and Jane, Lorna (1990). Creep of Sandwich Beams with Polymer Foam Cores , Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2(3): 171–182 .

10.

10. Way-Nan, Yeh and Ye-Ee, Wu (1991). Enhancement of Buckling Characteristics for Sandwich Structure with Fibre Reinforced Composite Skins and Core Made of Aluminium Honeycomb and Polyurethane Foam , Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 15(1): 63–74 .

11.

11. Shenoi, R.A.Clark, S.D. and Allen, H.G. (1995). Fatigue Behavior of Polymer Composites Sandwich Beam , Journal Composite Material, 29: 2423–2445 .

12.

12. Burmen, M. and Zenkert, D. (1997). Fatigue of Foam Core Sandwich Beams 1: Undamaged Specimens , Int. J. Fatigue, 19: 551–561 .

13.

13. Judawisastra, H., Ivens, J. and Verpoest, I. (1998). The Fatigue Behaviour and Damage Development of 3D Woven Sandwich Composites , Composites Structures, 43: 35–45 .

14.

14. Sorensen, Bent F. (2002). Adhesive Law and Notch Sensitivity of Adhesive Joints , Acta Materialia, 50(5): 1053–1061 .

15.

15. Hayajeneh, M.T. (2001). Sandwich Structure Delamination of Resin Transfer Molding , Materials and Manufacturing Process, 16(1): 27–45 .

16.

16. Triantafillou, T.C. and Gibson, L.J. (1989). Debonding in Foam-core Sandwich Panels , Materials and Structures, 22(127): 64–69 .

Interfacial Studies in Fatigue Behavior of Polyurethane Sandwich Structures

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References