In composite engineering, sandwich core materials refer to the lightweight internal layer used in a sandwich structure. This structural design consists of two thin outer skins bonded to a thicker core material, creating a panel that combines high stiffness with low weight.
Sandwich core materials serve as the structural backbone of the panel. While the outer skins handle tensile and compressive loads, the core carries shear forces and keeps the skins separated at a fixed distance. This configuration significantly increases bending rigidity without adding unnecessary mass.
Typical sandwich core materials include foam cores such as PVC, PET, PMI, and polyurethane foam, as well as honeycomb cores made from polypropylene, aluminum, or aramid fibers.
Sandwich structures are widely used in industries where lightweight performance is critical. Examples include aircraft interior panels, wind turbine blades, boat hulls, train components, truck bodies, and high-performance architectural panels.
