Sandwich panels are used in applications where high stiffness combined with low structural weight is required.
Sandwich panels are based on a simple structure of two high strength skins bonded to either side of a light weight core. This provides a very light and very stiff structure.
The design of the sandwich structure ensures that the skins carry the large majority of the tensile and compressive stresses that are produced under load.
The skins are designed to be strong and resist tensile and compressive stresses. They are usually made of aluminium, titanium, or fibre reinforced polymers. The core is designed to resist shear stresses and is usually made of polymer foams, or expanded metal or polymer honeycombs.