Mechani̇cal performance of hemp fi̇ber rei̇nforced sandwi̇ch composi̇tes wi̇th natural core materi̇als

In this study, the effects of different natural core materials on the mechanical behavior of hemp fiber-reinforced sandwich composites were investigated both experimentally and numerically. In the sandwich structure, hemp fiber-reinforced composite materials were used as the face sheets, while balsa wood and agglomerated cork were used as core elements in thicknesses of 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm. The mechanical performance of the produced sandwich composites was evaluated through three-point bending tests; maximum load capacity, force–displacement behavior, and damage mechanisms were analyzed in detail. The findings revealed that the type of core material had a significant effect on the bending behavior of the sandwich composites. Sandwich structures with balsa cores exhibited higher stiffness and maximum load-bearing capacity, while those with agglomerated cork cores showed a more ductile behavior, providing an advantage in terms of deformation capacity. In addition, numerical damage loads were identified through the numerical analysis of the sandwich structures.