Sandwich panels for high-performance model aircraft: a case study

This work describes a sandwich composite designed for a model aircraft under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) competition. A Design of Experiment (DoE) is used to investigate the flexural properties of four sandwich panels consisting of two types of skins, made of laminated composites (carbon or glass), and two types of cores (balsa wood or expanded polystyrene). Absolute and specific properties are evaluated from a mechanical performance perspective, providing valuable information to maximise aircraft structure. Sandwich panels achieve acceptable properties for application in aero design structures, combining stiffness and lightness. Panels composed of carbon skins and balsa wood provide greater specific strength and stiffness, being used as a structural material for the "Trem Ki Voa" aeroplane at the Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ-Brazil). Also on ResearchGate: http://bit.ly/3AhOBmi.