Eco-sustainable sandwich panels: Influence of process parameters on adhesion and mechanical performance
Gianluca Parodo, Costanzo Bellini, Vittorio Di Cocco, Francesco Iacoviello, Luca Sorrentino, Sandro Turchetta
Abstract. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in recyclable and eco-friendly materials, driven by the need to develop components with complex geometries, variable thicknesses, and large dimensions, particularly in sectors such as building and automotive. Eco-Sustainable Sandwich Panels (ESSP), which combine lightweight cores with thermoplastic natural fiber-based composites, offer a promising solution to these demands by providing a balance between mechanical performance and sustainability. Despite their potential, ESSPs remain underexplored, with limited knowledge regarding the key factors necessary for their manufacturing. The low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these materials, along with challenges in ensuring reliable performance, particularly in terms of adhesion between skins and cores, hinders their broader industrial adoption. This study investigates the forming of Eco-sustainable Sandwich Panels (ESSP) consisting of an aluminum honeycomb core and skins made from flax fiber prepreg with a polypropylene matrix, manufactured by hot press molding. The aim is to evaluate the influence of process parameters on the adhesion between skins and core, which is critical for the mechanical performance of the panel. For this purpose, preliminary numerical analyses and destructive testing were made, and the results provide valuable insights for optimizing the production process of eco-sustainable sandwich panels and their potential industrial applications.
Keywords
Eco-Sustainable Sandwich Panels, Flax Fiber Composite, Adhesion, Hot Press Forming
Published online 5/7/2025, 12 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Gianluca Parodo, Costanzo Bellini, Vittorio Di Cocco, Francesco Iacoviello, Luca Sorrentino, Sandro Turchetta, Eco-sustainable sandwich panels: Influence of process parameters on adhesion and mechanical performance, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 54, pp 2534-2545, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903599-274
The article was published as article 274 of the book Material Forming
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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