Paper-reinforced biomimetic cellular structures for automotive applications

The aim of this work was to make and test some sandwich structures, made of biomimetic cellular cores of recycled paper. In a preliminary study some paper laminates were investigated. Then two different kinds of cores were made by simple processes, according to two natural structures (i.e. feather and honeycomb). To evaluate the mechanical properties of these new sandwiches, static flexural, flatwise and edgewise compression tests were performed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.