2.
Types of Sandwich Composites
2.1 Foam Core Sandwich Composites
Common core materials: PVC, PEI, PMI
Applications: Marine, wind energy, transportation
2.2 Honeycomb Core Sandwich Composites
Core types: Aluminum honeycomb, Nomex honeycomb
Applications: Aerospace, space structures, high-speed vehicles
2.3 GFRP/CFRP Face Sheet Sandwich Composites
Face sheets: Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer
(CFRP)
Applications: Aerospace, wind turbine blades, marine
3. Fatigue Testing Methods
3.1 For Foam Core Sandwiches
ASTM C394 – Shear fatigue of core material
Adapted ASTM C393 – Cyclic shear using 3- or 4-point bending
Four-point bending fatigue – S-N curve generation
3.2 For Honeycomb Core Sandwiches
ASTM C394 – Shear fatigue for honeycomb cores
Multi-specimen fully reversed fatigue systems (R = -1)
Four-point bending fatigue for shear failure in core
3.3 For GFRP/CFRP Face Sheets
ASTM D3479 – Tension-tension fatigue of face sheets
ASTM D7100 – Variable amplitude loading fatigue test
4. Creep Testing Methods
4.1 For Foam Core Sandwiches
ASTM C480 – Flexural creep under sustained load
Shear creep test (modified 3-point bending for core analysis)
4.2 For Honeycomb Core Sandwiches
ASTM C480 – Long-term panel deflection (flexural creep)
Shear creep using short-span bending for honeycomb orientation effects
4.3 For GFRP/CFRP Face Sheet Panels
ASTM D6641 – Compression creep testing
ASTM C480 – Flexural creep of hybrid or full sandwich panels
5. Supporting Models & Analysis
Use of S-N Curves for fatigue life prediction
Use of Findley’s Power Law and Prony Series for creep modeling
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for viscoelastic properties
6. Environmental and Operational Factors
Effect of temperature and humidity on fatigue and creep
Thermal cycling and hygrothermal aging
[Link]
[Link]
List of Testing Methods for Natural Fiber-Based Hybrid Sandwich Composites
1. Flammability Tests
Vertical Flame Test (Type A & Type B)
o ASTM D 3014
o UL 94 V (Vertical)
o UL 94 HB (Horizontal)
45° Flame Test
Burn-Through Resistance Test
Smoke Density Test
2. Mechanical Tests
Tensile Strength and Modulus Test
o ASTM C297 (Flatwise Tensile Strength)
Compressive Strength Test
o ASTM C365 (Flatwise Compressive Strength)
o ASTM C364 (Edgewise Compressive Strength)
Flexural Strength and Modulus Test
o ASTM C393 (Core Shear Properties by Beam Flexure)
o ASTM D6416 (2D Plate Flexural Properties)
Shear Properties Test
o ASTM C273 (Core Shear Properties)
Impact (Puncture) Test
o ASTM 7136 (Drop Weight Impact Test)
Climbing Drum Peel Test
o ASTM D1781 (Adhesion Evaluation)
3. Core-Specific Tests
Density Measurement
o ASTM C271
Water Absorption Test
o ASTM C272
Tensile Strength of Honeycomb Core
o ASTM C363
Thickness Measurement
o ASTM C366
Shear Fatigue Test
o ASTM C394
Dimensional Stability Test
o ASTM D6772
Poisson’s Ratio Test
o ASTM D6790
Static Energy Absorption Test
o ASTM D7336
Fluid Migration Test
o ASTM F1645
4. Environmental and Durability Tests
Water Absorption Test
Laboratory Aging Test
o ASTM C481
Thermal Conductivity Test
o ASTM C236
5. Specialized Tests
Wear and Tear Test
Roller Cart Test (Simulated wear for aerospace applications)
Edge Bearing Test (Fastener strength evaluation)
Acoustic Property Measurement
o ISO 10534-2 (Sound Absorption Coefficient)
6. Specimen Conditioning
ASTM D618-61
o Temperature: 23 ± 2°C
o Relative Humidity: 50 ± 5%
o Duration: 40-88 hours depending on thickness
Fatigue and Creep Tests for Natural Fiber-Based Hybrid
Sandwich Composites
The paper mentions the following standardized tests for
evaluating fatigue and creep properties of sandwich composites:
1. Fatigue Testing
ASTM C394 – Core Shear Fatigue Test
o Evaluates the effect of repeated shear loads on sandwich core
materials.
o Uses the same fixture as ASTM C273 (shear test) but without
face sheets.
o Critical for aerospace and automotive applications where cyclic
loading is common.
2. Creep Testing
ASTM C480 / C480M – Flexural Creep of Sandwich
Constructions
o Measures creep characteristics and creep rate under flexural
loading.
o Applicable at various temperatures to simulate real-world
conditions.
o Helps predict long-term deformation under sustained loads.