Abstract
The design and manufacture of sandwich structures allow for many variants related to core and skin types, but their fabrication is very limited with conventional technologies. Recent advances in 3D printing are creating new design possibilities, such as bio-inspired structures with more complex cellular units than the current ones, functional gradients, and curved panels. The present work has focused on two aspects; 1) the efficiency of the core inspired by the trabecular structure of beetle wings versus the conventional honeycomb, and 2) the feasibility of integrating these new cores with carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg skins for out-of-autoclave curing.
The results show that the ONYX® 3D printing cores obtained by filament extrusion technology and the skins manufactured by out-of-autoclave curing show good skin/core adhesion. On the other hand, the results of the flexural tests have shown that the stiffness of the sandwich panel with the trabecular structure is better than that of one of the honeycombs and the strength in both cases is similar. However, where substantial differences have been found between the two types of cores is in the quasi-static puncture resistance, that of the trabecular structure being 60% higher.
3D PRINTING OF BIO-INSPIRED CORES FOR OUT-OF-AUTOCLAVE SANDWICH STRUCTURES 