Composite Foams for Sandwich Structures

Recent work at USC has focused on strategies to enhance the toughness and overall mechanical performance of polymer foams for use in lightweight sandwich structures. Both mechanical and chemical approaches have been employed with reasonable success. Fiber reinforcement, though difficult from a processing perspective, can lead to substantial enhancements in toughness and strength, while reducing friability. Chemical modifications are also challenging from a processing perspective, but can produce similar enhancements in performance. Efforts to enhance performance of phenolic foam and PVC foam through fiber reinforcement and chemical modification are described, along with the resulting enhancements in performance.