Out-of-plane compression of Ti-6Al-4V sandwich panels with corrugated channel cores

A novel sandwich core topology – corrugated channels (periodic fluid-through wavy passages) – was proposed for simultaneous load-bearing and active cooling applications. Relative to a sandwich panel with parallel plate channels, the sandwich with corrugated channel core exhibits not only significantly enhanced convective heat transfer rate but also superior mechanical performance. To explore the underlying deformation and failure mechanisms, corrugated-channel-cored sandwich panels (3CSPs) with low relative densities (< 1.5%) were manufactured, with Ti-6Al-4V alloy used as the constituent material for both the core and the face sheets. The quasi-static, out-of-plane compressive behaviors of Ti-6Al-4V sandwich panels were systematically studied using a combined experimental, analytical and numerical approach. The compressive strength of the proposed 3CSP was also compared with competing core topologies on the material selection map. With superior structural and thermal efficiency, the corrugated channel core is promising for a wide variety of multifunctional lightweight sandwich constructions.