Hygro-Thermo-Mechanical Responses of Balsa Wood Core Sandwich Composite Beam Exposed to Fire

Abstract

In this study, the hygro–thermo–mechanical responses of balsa core sandwich structured composite was investigated by using experimental, analytical and numerical results. These investigations were performed on two types of specimen conditions: dry and moisture saturation sandwich composite specimens that are composed of E-glass/polyester skins bonded to a balsa core. The wet specimens were immersed in distilled water at 40 °C until saturated with water. The both dry and wet sandwich composite specimens were heated by fire. The mass loss kinetic and the mechanical properties were investigated by using a cone calorimeter following the ISO 5660 standard and three-point bending mechanical test device. Experimental data show that the permeability and fire resistance of the sandwich structure are controlled by two composite skins. Obtained results allow us to understand the Hygro–Thermo–Mechanical Responses of the sandwich structured composite under application conditions.

Review of literature on eco-friendly sandwich structures made of non-wood cellulose fibers

“…A lot of research has been done on the performance of different types of cores and various classifications have been presented by researchers. Figure 3 shows the main types of sandwich cores: foam [19,20], z-pinned [21], corrugated [22,23], lattice [24,25], balsa [26,27], cork [28,29], and composite [30,31].

Figure 3.Classification for sandwich cores.

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Review of balsa core sandwich composite structures

“…The Tg values for the thermoset and thermoplastic matrix laminates used as facesheets are typically in the range of 60-150 o C. The polymer matrix begins to thermally decompose above ~250-300 o C (depending on the resin type) [164]. The effect of high temperature on the properties and weakening of balsa and other woods has also been determined [74,154,[165][166][167][168][169][170][171]. An example of mechanical property reductions of balsa is shown in Figure 17, which plots the effect of temperature on the shear and compression properties of end-grain balsa in the axial direction.…”

Special Issue “Green Technologies: Bridging Conventional Practices and Industry 4.0”

“…Few of the papers published in this Special Issue also investigated the concept of automation and investigations were done on the underlying principles and technologies for implementation in an automated industry. Tran Van et al [10] studied the hygro-thermo-mechanical responses of balsa wood core to observe the permeability and fire resistance of the composites. Experimental, analytical and numerical methods were applied to understand the moisture impervious barrier significance of the structure.…”

“…(5) energy and environmental policy; (6) environmental monitoring, assessment and management; (7) Industry 4.0; (8) process system engineering; (9) renewable energy; (10) solid/biomass waste treatment, management, and recycling; and (11) waste minimization, etc. The manuscripts were regularly submitted, selected and reviewed by the regular system and accepted for publication.…”

“…In this Special Issue on "Green Technologies: Bridging Conventional Practices and Industry 4.0", we have accepted and published 17 high-quality and original articles [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. These research papers cover theoretical, numerical, or experimental approaches on green technology that bridge conventional practices and Industry 4.0.…”