Sandwich Structural Composites : Theory and Practice

Sandwich Structural Composites: Theory and Practice offers a comprehensive coverage of sandwich structural composites. It describes the structure, properties, characterization, and testing of raw materials. In addition, it discusses design and process methods, applications and damage assessments of sandwich structural composites. The book:

• Offers a review of current sandwich composite lamination processes and manufacturing methods
• Introduces raw materials, including core materials, skin reinforcements, resin substrates and adhesives
• Discusses sandwich structure characterization, finite element analysis of the structures, and product design and optimization
• Describes benefits other than structural, including acoustic, thermal, and fire
• Details applications in various industries, including aerospace, wind energy, marine ships, recreational boats and vehicles, sport equipment, building construction, and extreme temperature applications

The book will be of benefit to industrial practitioners, researchers, academic faculty, and advanced students in materials and mechanical engineering and related disciplines looking to advance their understanding of these increasingly important materials.

Wenguang Ma holds the Ph. D. degree in Plastics Engineering from University of Massachusetts Lowell and is working as a Technical Director at Vixen Composites LLC. His expertise and contributions include structure polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam core development and application for sandwich composites and sandwich composite design and development by pultrusion and other processes. He is the author or co-author of over 20 technical papers and a book chapter in the areas of the sandwich composites, polymer foam, polymer blending and modification, and biodegradable polymers.

Russell Elkin is the Product Development Manager USA with Baltek Inc. He has worked for Baltek and its predecessor companies since 1994 after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in mechanical engineering. At Baltek, he works with customers around the world on composite and sandwich laminate design. He also gathered vast knowledge and experience in manufacturing processes, including advanced training in vacuum infusion and Lite-RTM where he oversees the development of new products.