Failure Mechanism in Rigid PUF Sandwich Structures with Varied Skin Materials under Bending Load

Abstract

The results of the experimental analysis carried out on sandwich structures with rigid PUF core and different skin materials have been reported. The flammability tests have been carried out on core as well as the skin materials. From 3-point bending test FBS, CSS have been evaluated for the sandwich structures. These tests have been conducted on 4 different compositions of the core materials and 6 varieties of hybridized skin materials. Comparisons of results have been between the hybridized and non-hybridized sandwich structures. A macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the fractured surfaces have been made to identify the nature of failure under bending loads. It has been demonstrated that the debond strength of the core—face and core plays an important role in enhancing the flexural property and controlling of the failure mechanisms. It has been observed that with increasing the debonding strength of the core—face interface, the failure mode changes from debonding of the core—face interface to the failure of the face.