Fabrication and axial compression test of thermoplastic composite cylindrical sandwich structures with hierarchical honeycomb core

A hierarchical thermoplastic composite honeycomb sandwich cylindrical structure consisting of continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic (GFRTP) composite skins and hierarchical honeycomb core was designed and fabricated by the means of filament winding and interlocking method. Axial compression tests were conducted to evaluate the load bearing capacity and reveal the failure modes. The results show that local buckling and face crushing were the primary failure modes for sandwich cylindrical structures. The mechanical properties including the specific energy absorption (SEA) and the ultimate loading capacity of sandwich cylindrical structure are 5.45 and 15.24 times greater than that of the hierarchical core. Besides, the hierarchical thermoplastic composite honeycomb sandwich cylindrical structures also perform better on loading-capacity efficiency when compared with structures as referenced.

Automated summary

A hierarchical thermoplastic composite honeycomb sandwich cylindrical structure was designed and tested, showing superior specific energy absorption and ultimate loading capacity compared to the hierarchical core. Additionally, the sandwich cylindrical structures also outperformed referenced structures in terms of loading-capacity efficiency.