An overview on syntactic foam core and paper skin sandwich composites as potential building materials

Abstract

[Abstract]: Novel sandwich composites made of syntactic foam core and paper skin were overviewed as potential building materials. Interface bonding between core and skin were controlled by varying starch content. Two different microsphere size groups were employed for syntactic foam core manufacturing based on the pre-mould processing method. Properties of skin paper with starch adhesive on were found to be affected by drying time of starch. Mechanical behaviour of manufactured composites in relation with properties of constituents was studied. Skin contributed to increase up to 40% in estimated flexural strength over syntactic foams, depending on starch content in adhesive between core and skin. Smaller microsphere size group for core was found to be advantageous in strengthening sandwich composites for a given starch content in adhesive. Failure process of sandwich composites was discussed in relation with load-deflection curves. Core cracking was detected to be the first event in sandwich composite failure sequence.