Load bearing properties of three‐component polymer composites

Abstract

Metal or solid polymer anchors are used as the load transfer components for foam and foam composites when they are used as the structural elements in design. The traditional method of fixation of these components is by fastening and adhesion. In this study, anchors were created in the form of inserts and were imbedded in the sandwich composite during the foaming process, resulting in the manufacture of three‐component composite. Flexure tests were conducted to study the effect of different geometries (rectangular, cylindrical, tapered/wedge shaped) and lengths of metal inserts on the strengths of sandwich composites. The stress strain response, mode of fracture of sandwich composite with metallic anchors was elucidated. The results showed that long tapered inserts imbedded in sandwich composite provide better load bearing and adhesion properties than other geometries. A model is presented that describes the relationship between stiffness reduction and progressive crack length of sandwich composite. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the interactions between the inserts and sandwich composites under different loads were carried out. FEA modeling and experimental results were in good agreement, thus validating the model. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1731–1737, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Resin flow analysis during RTM Manufacturing of GFRP composites containing embedded impermeable inserts

“…Sandwich composites with tapered inserts showed better load bearing properties compared to rectangular and cylindrical inserts of the same length. The results showed the reduced sandwich stiffness is a function of crack length Ahmed et al (2010). When leaf inserts were introduced, better adhesion properties were found when compared with other insert geometries Ahmed et al (2011).…”

“…The results showed that specific strength of 3D woven composite inserts is higher than that of aluminum inserts, beyond significant weight saving of material. Ahmed et al (2010) and Ahmed et al (2011) analyzed the adhesion properties of sandwich composites having aluminum inserts with different geometries (rectangular, cylindrical and tapered) under flexural loading. It was reported that the failure stress and adhesion properties were dependent on the embedded insert length and geometry.…”