Bending Performance of Aluminum Sandwich Panel with Polyurethane Foam Core

Abstract

Although rigid foam core structures have gotten a lot of attention, there have only been a few researches on foam reinforced sandwich panels with aluminum alloy A6061 sheets as face-sheets. In this research, the sandwich concept was applied to develop lightweight panels for roofing system. Analysis on the influences of core thickness, density, and foam layer arrangement on energy absorption, bending strength and displacement of sandwich panel under the quasi-static three-point bending test were investigated. Sandwich panel core is made of closed-cell polyurethane foam with densities of 40 kg/m3, 60 kg/m3, and 80 kg/m3. The quasi-static three-point bending tests were conducted in accordance to ASTM C-393 Standard and the polyurethane foam cores are design accordingly to the guideline of National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST). Load–displacement curves and mechanical properties are shown using data from experimental works. Results demonstrate that increased in thickness of the sandwich panel, also increased the bending strength, energy absorption and displacement. Furthermore, the sandwich panel with 50 mm thickness and 60 kg/m3 density foam core has the maximum bending strength.