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Sandwich panels

Specifications

  • Panel sizes 8000 x 2550 x 120

  • Facings made of GRP

  • Core material PUR, PVC, PET and honeycomb

  • Inlays of wood, steel, aluminium or plastic possible

Infos / FAQ (PDF)

Further own products

  • WEMO meter box

  • GRP / FCP repairs

Various versions

Thanks to our modern equipped sandwich panel department, we are able to produce panels in a wide variety of designs, such as:

Cover layers

GRP CFRP Aluminium sheet Steel sheet Wood etc.

Core

PURE     PVC     EPS     PET     Rohacell

Messures

to 8200 x 2700 x 250 mm

Applications

Vehicle construction   machine industry   building   etc.

Sandwich panels consist of a core material (foam, honeycomb, etc.) and cover layers glued on both sides. Both the core material and the cover layers are responsible for ensuring mechanical strength. It should be mentioned that the ratio of face sheets to core material must be correct. Bonding a high-strength foam core e.g. with thin thermoplastic sheets (low inherent rigidity) is just as pointless as bonding a foam core with a density (RW) of 15 kg/m3 (low inherent rigidity) with thick chrome steel sheets (high inherent rigidity).

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The core material must have such a high inherent stiffness and compressive strength that the distance between the face layers remains constant when the sandwich construction bends. If this is not guaranteed, the bending strength of the sandwich panel collapses abruptly.

 

The same applies to the adhesive quality. Air pockets in the bond massively reduce the strength values. In addition, these air pockets cause dents to form when the panel heats up (sunlight). For this reason, aXpel composites sandwich panels are bonded under vacuum and the foam cores are pre-grooved so that no air can be trapped. Vacuum bonding guarantees a clean bond, even with different foam core thicknesses.

Mechanical strength

A generally valid formula for calculating the mechanical properties of sandwich panels cannot be established. The calculation principles partly listed in the literature are only valid for defined ratios of total thickness, face thickness, core material and face material in relatively narrow ranges. More meaningful are the empirical values that aXpel composites has gathered in over 20 years of manufacturing sandwich panels for the automotive industry, among others. On the following pages you will find guide values for sandwich panels in various applications with load diagrams of various sandwich panels from practice (no laboratory tests).

Load diagram 1 Sandwich panels

Various foam and cover thicknesses

Core material PVC RW 40

Support width 1000 mm

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Load diagram 2 sandwich panels

Various core materials and cover thicknesses

Foam thickness 40 mm

Support width 1000 mm

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Structure

Theoretically, sandwich panels can be produced with almost all adhesive materials. For road vehicle construction, it has proven itself in recent years:

Cover layers

For large surfaces mainly GRP sheets with

glass content of 20 to 30%, thickness 1 to 3 mm

Aluminium, 0.7 to 2 mm

Steel normal or stainless, thickness 0.7 to 2 mm

For high quality applications Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy sheets

Metals are usually more problematic to bond, and the sheets are not always available in the desired size. Bumps on the plate, even if they overlap, tend to leak water.

Core material

PVC, cross-linked and non-cross-linked, RW 40 to 80 Kg/m3,

PET RW 60 and RW 100 Kg/m3

For static applications also

  • PUR, RW 40 to 60 Kg/m3,

  • EPS, RW 20 to 40 Kg/m3

Honeycomb panels are rarely used because on the one hand the price is much higher than foam and on the other hand the thermal insulation (K value) is worse. For applications where high bending strength is required, the honeycomb core is very suitable. 

Other materials can also be used for special designs. A symmetrical structure is advantageous.

Messures

Standard dimensions per panel up to 2 600 mm x 8 100 mm, thickness 120 mm. Larger dimensions are possible.

Inlays

The most cost-effective variant is a panel without inserts. Where necessary, however, almost any type of inlay can be used, e.g. wood, GRP, aluminium, steel, etc. In the case of refrigerated vehicles, attention must be paid to the cold bridges that may be created. Inlays can also be supplied by the customer.

Thermal insulation

The K value (heat transmission value) depends on the foam core used and the thickness, whereby the differences in foam type are relatively small. With a density of 20 to 50 kg/m3, whether EPS, PUR or PVC, the thermal conductivity λ ranges between 0.03 and 0.04 W/mK. In order to achieve good insulation for the entire structure, it is important to choose the wall thicknesses as large as possible and to pay great attention to the sealing of doors.

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Assembly

The assembly should be chosen in such a way that water cannot penetrate, even if a glued joint is not completely tight. The following points should be observed when gluing:

 

In the case of glued joints between GRP, aluminium, steel, and also between each other, the adhesive is the weaker link. Therefore, observe the technical data of the adhesive. When bonding foam with foam or with the above-mentioned materials, the foam is usually the weaker link. (Tensile strength of foam approx. 0.2 to 1.5 N/mm2). In the case of corner joints, the glued angle on the inside and outside can also be added to the foam joint. The not inconsiderable dynamic forces that can occur in vehicle construction should not be forgotten.

Fire behaviour

In general, there are no special requirements for the fire behaviour of road transport vehicles. However, it is possible to manufacture elements according to DIN 5510 without any problems.

Shape accuracy, warpage

Large sandwich panels are bonded under vacuum. This guarantees a clean, air-free bond, even for foam panels or inserts with thickness tolerances. Naturally, however, such differences show on one side. The panels should therefore be mounted so that the side with the marks is on the inside.

Storage

When unassembled, sandwich panels should never be exposed to direct sunlight as they may warp due to uneven heat exposure.

Examples, patterns

On the next pages you can see some panels and connection variants. We will be happy to make suggestions for your special needs.

All data without guarantee

aXpel composites sandwich panels

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Cover layers

GRP

Aluminium

Steel (also stainless)

Thickness 1.5 to 3 mm

Thickness 1 to 3 mm

Thickness 0.5 to 2 mm

Foam cores

Material

Thickness

PVC

PUR

EPS

10 to 90 mm

RW 40 to RW 90     (RW = Room weight Kg/m3)

RW 40 to RW 80

RW 15 to RW 40

Total thickness

Facings + foam core thickness

Please call us for stock items.

Applications

Vehicle construction

 

 

Construction

 

Electrical industry

for refrigerated vehicles, sales vehicles, special superstructures

e.g. walls, roofs, doors

 

construction doors, gates, facade elements

 

Electrical industry Cabinets, walls

Advantages

large-area parts

no panel joints in the top layer

No rust and no oxidation with plastic panels

aXpel composites floor panels with
GRP bottom layer and top laminate

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Example:

Total thickness

Underlayer

Top laminate

Foam core

Weight approx.

Size

Applications

Advantages

 

52.5 mm

GRP 1.5 mm

GRP 1 mm

PVC 40 mm

13 Kg / m2

Floor for refrigerated vehicles

to 2 500 mm x 8 100 mm

Good load capacity, Good thermal insulation

Adhesive bonding of aXpel composites sandwich panels

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FAQ
  • What are the plate sizes?
    Maximum panel size that aXpel composites can produce: 2600 x 8100 x 120 mm. Smaller plates possible.
  • What type of panels are best suited for customer processing?
    Sandwich panels with GRP top layers are the simplest, also for post-processing by the customer.
  • How thick do the panels have to be for vehicle construction?
    Depending on the application, between 25 and 40 mm for the side walls and 40 to 60 mm for the roof in Cat. A vehicles, for larger vehicles 40 to 60 mm resp. 60 to 80 mm.
  • How thick do the cover plates have to be?
    In vehicle construction, GRP top layers of 1.5 to 2 mm are common and sufficient.
  • Can other top layers be used besides GRP?
    It is also possible to use e.g. B. plywood or aluminum sheet. The panel sizes are limited to the sizes of the top layers.
  • What do you use as core material?
    A polyurethane foam core is the cheapest. PVC foam can also be used for higher loads. EPS (Exposed Poly-Styrene, Sagex) are also suitable for special purposes. However, it is important to ensure that this foam core does not come into contact with solvents, otherwise it will dissolve. PET foam is used to advantage for flame-retardant panels.
  • Are all thicknesses possible?
    The thicknesses depend on the foam we have in stock.
  • Do the front edges have to be closed?
    The front sides of sandwich panels must normally always be closed. Be it by gluing on a U-profile or over-laminating, or as the most expensive option: gluing in an end profile between the top layers
  • What should be considered when it comes to the mechanical values?
    When designing a component made of sandwich panels, the following points must be taken into account: static load, dynamic load (vehicle construction), weather influences, chemical influences, visual concerns, temperature influences, expansion.
  • What should be considered when gluing?
    When gluing with other materials, the coefficient of expansion must be taken into account. For coefficient of expansion, see "technical data" at www.axpel-composites.ch aXpel composites GRP sandwich panels can be easily glued together. It is essential to observe the adhesive instructions of the adhesive suppliers.
  • Can the sandwich panels be painted?
    aXpel composites - GRP - sandwich panels can be painted without any problems. It is essential to observe the painting instructions of the paint supplier.
  • How do you assemble sandwich panels?
    Sandwich panels are glued to advantage, either at the edge or within the surface. Continuous screw connections are not suitable. If this cannot be avoided, an insert must be glued in, as a continuous screw connection would compress the foam.
  • Can you also add insoles?
    Insoles can be installed in a wide variety of ways, be it wood, GRP, aluminum or steel. It is relatively complex and therefore expensive, but often the best and therefore also the cheapest solution. In this case, the customer must provide the corresponding drawings, also for an offer.
  • Is there more information about aXpel composites – sandwich panels?
    Yes. In the brochure "aXpel composites sandwich panels in vehicle construction" you will find a lot more worth knowing.
  • How are the prices?
    Please consult our price list.
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