Investigation of mechanical performance of honeycomb sandwich composites produced by using a 3D printer

Because of the high energy damping ability, lightness, high slip and bend rigidity, sound insulation and high corrosion resistance properties of honeycomb cell composite sheets with hexagonal honeycomb structure gaps in cellular composites, their use is increasing in aerospace and other industries. In this study, the behavior of hexagonal honeycomb sandwich composites under the influence of compression and three-point bending force was studied numerically and experimentally. The surface cover of composite sheets is made of layered composite (polyester/glass fiber) and thermoplastic materials with 2 different properties such as ABS and PLA are used in the production of honeycomb cells. The production of the core part of sandwich structures was carried out using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. Honeycomb sandwich samples with 3 different cell sizes and 3 different cell heights were subjected to axial compression and three-point bending experiments. After experimental determination of compression and three-point bending behaviors, numerical analysis was performed using the ANSYS Workbench package program for the same boundary conditions. As a result of the experiments, it was observed that the pressure resistance decreased due to increased honeycomb cell height but the bending strength increased. Due to increased cell size, sample strength decreased in both loading states. The maximum strength was obtained in the sample of PLA thermoplastic material with minimum cell size and minimum cell height. In three - point bending experiments, maximum bending strength was obtained in a sample of PLA thermoplastic material with minimum cell size and maximum cell height. The results obtained from the numerical work performed using the ANSYS Workbench package program were obtained in accordance with the results obtained from the experimental studies. As a result of experimental and numerical studies, it was determined that PLA material has superior mechanical properties compared to ABS material.