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The sandwich structure is made up of which of the following components?

  • A

    Thin layers and a light core material.

  • B

    Thin layers and a heavy core material.

  • C

    Thick layers and a heavy core material.

  • D

    Thick layers and a light core material.

Refer to figures.
A sandwich structure consists of two thin, high-strength face sheets (usually made of composite materials or metals) separated by a low-density core material (foam, honeycomb, etc.). This design creates a structure that has an excellent balance between weight (mass) and stiffness, making it a preferred choice for various components in aircrafts for the following reasons:

  • Low Mass: The core material used in sandwich structures is typically lightweight, significantly reducing the component's overall weight. Reducing weight is critical in aviation as it directly affects fuel efficiency, performance, and payload capacity.

  • High Stiffness: Despite its low mass, the sandwich structure exhibits high stiffness and strength due to the rigid face sheets. The face sheets carry most structural loads and resist bending, buckling, and other mechanical stresses.

  • Ease of Deformation Under Load: While the sandwich structure is stiff and resists deformation, it also possesses some flexibility. This characteristic allows the structure to absorb and distribute loads efficiently. During flight or when subjected to external forces, the sandwich structure can deform slightly, dissipating the energy and preventing sudden, catastrophic failure.

  • Vibration Damping: The core material in the sandwich structure acts as a vibration damper, reducing the propagation of vibrations and noise throughout the aircraft. This enhances passenger comfort and reduces fatigue on various components.

  • Thermal Insulation: The core material's low thermal conductivity provides some degree of insulation, helping to regulate internal temperatures and protect sensitive equipment from extreme environmental conditions.

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