Wrought aluminum truss core sandwich structures

Abstract

Wrought metallic sandwich structures with open cell truss cores are a relatively new class of multifunctional material systems that can be made using affordable deformation, assembly, and joining processes. Here, the design and fabrication of these types of structures from wrought, heat-treatable aluminum alloys is reported. Tetrahedral truss cores were made by bending perforated aluminum alloy sheets. Plain square weave truss cores were made by stacking and aligning precrimped aluminum alloy weaves. Both core types were metallurgically bonded between braze clad aluminum alloy facesheets using a vacuum brazing approach. With this method, affordable truss core sandwich structures can be made from a variety of wrought aluminum and other alloys. Design methodology and multifunctional applications are discussed. 12 instances of 6061.