Flexural Properties of Functionally Gradient Syntactic foam Sandwich Structures

Leela Madhav Gullapalli, Eyassu Woldesenbet*

Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Southern University and Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
woldesen@engr.subr.edu

Abstract

Syntactic foams have gained significant importance as core materials in sandwich

structures due to their high energy absorption, specific compressive strength, damage tolerance,

and low moisture absorption. Functionally Gradient Syntactic Foams (FGSFs) are composite

gradient structures fabricated by varying the density of microballoons along the thickness with layer

over layer integrated technique. The new gradient structure is called Integrated Functionally

Gradient Syntactic Foam (IFGSF). Integration of layers without using any adhesive makes this study

interesting. The gradient in the structure is maintained by varying the density of microballoons

keeping the volume fraction of microballoons constant at 60%. Five different layer arrangements of

FGSFs are fabricated and tested. Three point bending tests are carried out on IFGSFs and results are

compared with adhesively bonded FGSF. Further three point bending and short beam shear

strength tests are carried on IFGSF sandwiches and plain sandwich composites. The flexural

properties of IFGSF sandwiches are compared with plain syntactic foam sandwiches. It is noted that

compressive properties of the foam layers play vital role in the failure of the structure. The

arrangement of sandwich foam layers in the structure influences the bending properties of the

sandwich. The crack propagation in sandwich core is explained using experimental results.

Keywords: Syntactic foams, Flexural properties, functionally gradient, and Crack propagation.