Influence of augmented tuning of core architecture in 3D woven sandwich structures on flexural and compression properties of their composites

The concept of 3D woven sandwich structures is the most amenable technology that attracts the current design engineers with their advantages over foams and honeycomb core-based composites. A thorough investigation on the mechanical endurance of sandwich structures reinforced with woven spacer fabrics reveals that their compression and shear properties are at stake with the increase in their core heights. In this work, a new concept for the sandwich structure, 3D spacer fabrics with integrally woven connecting walls in three different configurations were designed and fabricated. Further, the woven samples were consolidated into composite structures using epoxy resin and their improved structural effectiveness was studied by loading them under compression and bending loads. From these test results, it was evident that suitable modification of woven connecting wall configuration can successfully produce energy absorbent ultra-lightweight hollow structures. T-peel test carried on a replicate model of the junction formed in the structures revealed that the structures show node lamination prone failures. It is expected that this study will prove to be an experimental database for designing foamless sandwich structural composites with better stability at higher thickness.