Sandwich panels with Kagome lattice cores reinforced by carbon fibers

Stretching dominated Kagome lattices reinforced by carbon fibers were designed and manufactured. The sandwich panels were assembled with bonded laminate skins. The mechanical behaviors of the sandwich panels were tested by out-of-plane compression, in-plane compression and three-point bending. Different failure modes of the sandwich structures were revealed. The experimental results showed that the carbon fiber reinforced lattice grids are much stiffer and stronger than foams and honeycombs. It was found that buckling and debonding dominate the mechanical behavior of the sandwich structures, and that more complaint skin sheets might further improve the overall mechanical performance of the sandwich panels.