Introducing Novel Sandwich Structures Based on Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs) and Balsa Core for Marine Structures

Nowadays, sandwich structures based on balsa core and composite skins are widely used in the production of lightweight and high-strength marine structures. However, Balsa, as a hydrophilic material, is sensitive to moisture, and penetration of moisture through damaged composite skins into the sandwich structures will result in severe water uptake, balsa core decay, and delamination in skin/core interface. In order to improve the damage tolerance of sandwich structures with balsa core, the idea of using fiber metal laminates (FMLs) instead of composite skins has been proposed in this research. In this way, following the evaluation of the water absorption behavior of these types of sandwich structures, the specimens made of balsa core and FMLs skins were subjected to compressive loading and critical buckling values were determined. In order to investigate the effect of the skin on the mechanical properties of these structures, the specimens with similar core and composite skins made of glass/epoxy were also prepared and subjected to similar experiments. Experimental results show that sandwich structures with balsa core and FMLs skins exhibit less water absorption and much better mechanical behavior than conventional sandwich structures with composite skins.