The role of the resin fillet in the delamination of honeycomb sandwich structures

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 62; no. 14; pp. 1811 - 1819
• Main Authors: Okada, Ryo, Kortschot, M.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Layered structures; Applied sciences; B. Plastic deformation; C. Delamination; C. Laminates; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Honeycomb; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; B. Plastic deformation; C. Delamination; Honeycomb; A. Layered structures; C. Laminates; Nylon; Laminate; Synthetic fiber; Fiber reinforced material; Sandwich structure; Mechanical properties; Epoxy resin; Plastic deformation; Experimental study; Composite material; Peel strength; Honeycomb structure; Aramid fiber; Woven material; Rupture strength; Delamination; Fracture mode
• DOI: 10.1016/S0266-3538(02)00099-4
• ISSN: 0266-3538

In this study, the mechanism of peel fracture (or core/skin delamination) in honeycomb-core sandwich panels was investigated, and the role of resin fillets on energy absorption was elucidated. Fillet deformation and fracture were shown to control the delamination resistance of sandwich panels, to a great extent. In fact the area fraction of fillets on the fracture surface proved to be very important. The delamination resistance data for a variety of panels, made with various materials, cores etc., collapsed to a single master curve when the peel energy was normalized by the delamination energy of the skin material, and this ratio was plotted against the residual area fraction of the resin remaining on the core side after the peel test. A detailed stick/slip mechanism for crack advance was proposed, and its existence was supported by both the load traces and by fractography.