Title: Flexural Behavior of E-Glass/Epoxy-PVC Foam Sandwich Composites for Railway Applications
Authors: Ramadan Mohmmed, Saad Mustafa, Yousif.A A
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 18-22
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
Sandwich composite materials are increasingly used in industrial applications due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and favorable mechanical performance. This study investigates the application of sandwich composites in railway vehicle bodies to enhance speed, passenger comfort, seating capacity, and fuel efficiency by reducing overall structural weight. The selected materials include woven E-glass reinforced with a thermoset epoxy matrix and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam as the core. The composites were fabricated using hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, and autoclave curing. Test specimens were manufactured with isotropic, flat sandwich configurations, comprising face sheets with lay-up and PVC foam cores of 3 mm and 6 mm thickness. Mechanical characterization was tested and conducted. Results from three-point bending tests showed that the 6 mm core specimens exhibited superior flexural stiffness, and maximum load capacity compared to the 3 mm core specimens. These findings confirm that increasing core thickness significantly improves the structural performance of composite sandwich panels, making them a suitable option for lightweight and high-performance railway vehicle applications.