Hybrid lattice-core sandwich composites designed for microwave absorption

To meet the requirements of load bearing and microwave absorbing, a hybrid design method for Kagome lattice-core sandwich composite was suggested in this paper. The sandwich panel is made with hybrid face sheets and microwave absorbing lattice cores. The skin facing to the incident wave is reinforced by transparent glass fibers, while the offset skin is reinforced by reflective carbon fibers. Mechanical behaviors of the sandwich panels were tested by three-point bending and edgewise compression. Reasonable design of the skin thickness would make the hybrid panel have comparable load capacity to the panel strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced face sheets. Filled with microwave absorbing foams, the lattice composites have excellent microwave absorbing properties. Reinforced by hybrid face sheets, microwave absorbing properties of the sandwich panels would be weakened slightly, but still meet the professional requirements of the aeronautical engineering with reasonable designs. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.