To clarify the deformation mechanism of aluminum honeycomb sandwich panels during thermal curing, the effects of structural stiffness, interfacial friction, and foaming adhesive are investigated through theoretical analysis, finite element simulation, and experimental testing. Based on the structural characteristics and manufacturing process, a geometric model and a curing theoretical model are established. Combined with Fourier's heat conduction law and the energy balance principle, the thermal and chemical reactions of the adhesive film are described, and a path-dependent model is adopted to analyze curing deformation. The simulation results agree well with the experimental data, verifying the accuracy of the proposed model. Results indicate that structural stiffness has a significant negative correlation with deformation magnitude; reducing interfacial friction decreases the deformation; and the local maximum deformation around embedded parts increases with the rise of the expansion coefficient of the foaming adhesive, while a lower expansion coefficient helps maintain surface flatness.
HEMeifeng, HUWenbin. A Study on Composite Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Structure[J]. Materials & Design, 2008, 29(3): 709-713.
[2]
WANGMingwei, CAIZhongyi, ZHANGXi. Analysis of Core Instability in the Plastic Forming of Honeycomb Sandwich Panels[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2025, 36: 4005-4019.
[3]
WAHLL, MAASS, WALDMANND, et al. Fatigue in the Core of Aluminum Honeycomb Panels: Lifetime Prediction Compared with Fatigue Tests[J]. International Journal of Damage Mechanics, 2014, 23(5): 661-683.
[4]
YUJinguang, YANGZhen, ZHAOChu, et al. Seismic Performance of Aluminum Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Buckling-restrained Steel Plate Shear Wall[J]. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2024, 215: 108528.
HODGEA, DAMBAUGHG. Analysis of Thermally Induced Stresses on the Core Node Bonds of a Co-cured Sandwich Panel[J]. Journal of Composite Materials, 2013, 47(4): 467-474.
[7]
CENTEAT, GRUNENFELDERL K, NUTTS R. A Review of Out-of-autoclave Prepregs-Material Properties, Process Phenomena, and Manufacturing Considerations[J]. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2015, 70: 132-154.
[8]
AL-DHAHERIM, KHANK A, UMERR, et al. Process Induced Deformations in Composite Sandwich Panels Using an In-homogeneous Layup Design[J]. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2020, 137: 106020.
[9]
AL-DHAHERIM, KHANK A, UMERR, et al. Process-induced Deformation in U-shaped Honeycomb Aerospace Composite Structures[J]. Composite Structures, 2020, 248: 112503.
[10]
YUANZhenyi, WANGYongjun, PENGXiongqi, et al. An Analytical Model on Through-thickness Stresses and Warpage of Composite Laminates Due to Tool-Part Interaction[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2016, 91: 408-413.
[11]
SONGYunhe, JIHaonan, YANGNa, et al. Stiffness Check and Deformation Control of Composite Honeycomb Sandwich Structures in Bonding Process[J]. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2025, 3120(1): 012005.
XUJingxiao, HUAHongliang, WANGYukui, et al. Numerical Simulation of Cure-induced Deformation of Nomex Honeycomb Sandwich Structure with Variable Thickness Layup[J]. Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, 2024, 56(8): 56-67.
[14]
KRATZJ, HUBERTP. Processing Out-of-autoclave Honeycomb Structures: Internal Core Pressure Measurements[J]. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2011, 42(8): 1060-1065.
WANGYanjin, QIUSheng, TANGYihao. Research on Forming Technology of Composite Honeycomb Sandwich Structure for Helicopter Conformal Antennas[J]. Modern Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, 2024, 60(5): 74-76.
[17]
TAVARESS S, CAILLET-BOISN, MICHAUDV, et al. Vacuum-bag Processing of Sandwich Structures: Role of Honeycomb Pressure Level on Skin-Core Adhesion and Skin Quality[J]. Composites Science and Technology, 2010, 70(5): 797-803.
[18]
GROVES M, POPHAME, MILESM E. An Investigation of the Skin/Core Bond in Honeycomb Sandwich Structures Using Statistical Experimentation Techniques[J]. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2006, 37(5): 804-812.
CUILijun, KONGJiaoyue, CHENHaiyan, et al. Research on Surface Smoothness of Composite Honeycomb Sandwich Structure Scarf Repair[J]. Composites Science and Engineering, 2026(1): 102-108.
DUXinyuan. Composite Autoclave Design and Research on Decoupling Control of Temperature and Pressure[D]. Nanjing: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2023.
[23]
FABRIZIOM, LAZZARIB. Stability and Second Law of Thermodynamics in Dual-phase-lag Heat Conduction[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2014, 74: 484-489.
[24]
LIYongshan, CHENGuangchang, GEJingran, et al. Modeling of Curing Process and Residual Stress Analysis of Thick-section Thermosetting Composites[J]. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 2025, 42(1): 424411.
ZHOUShiyu, ANLuling, ZHAOCong, et al. Research on Influence of Structural Factors on Curing Deformation of Honeycomb Sandwich Components[J]. Machine Building & Automation, 2023, 52(4): 96-100.
[27]
KELLERC. Viscosity Solutions of Path-dependent Integro-differential Equations[J]. Stochastic Processes and Their Applications, 2016, 126(9): 2665-2718.
[28]
ASTM. E251-92 Standard Test Methods for Performance Characteristics of Metallic Bonded Resistance Strain Gages[J].ASTM, 2014.
[29]
van BAVELB, SHISHKINAO, VANDEPITTED, et al. Reliability-based Composite Pressure Vessel Design Optimization with Cure-induced Stresses and Spatial Material Variability[J]. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2024, 432: 117463.
[30]
KAWIAKM, SAJEKA. Failure of the Roller Mill Caused by Rolling Contact, Shrinkage Stress, and Intentionally Introduced Defects[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2025, 179: 109792.
[31]
ZHAOChunyan, WENRongjia, DAIYuqing, et al. Hydrolysis Degradation Mechanisms of Epoxy Resin Coatings on Concrete in Hydrothermal Environment Resolved by Molecular Dynamic Simulations[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 479: 141463.