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Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2024) | Viewed by 9755

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Dr. Yong Tao

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: mechanical properties of cellular materials; multifunctional composites and structures; design and characterization of mechanical metamaterials; bioinspired materials; impact dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ying Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Advanced Structure Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: multifunctional composites and structures; design and fabrication of mechanical metamaterials; novel calculation method for impact dynamics; blast damage assessment and test technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a typical lightweight cellular material, honeycombs have attracted great interest and been extensively used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, railway vehicle, maritime, architecture, packaging, etc., due to their high specific stiffness and strength, excellent energy absorption capability and multifunctional characteristics. Driven by the increasing demand for high-performance lightweight materials, advances in the design of honeycombs with enhanced performance have sprung up in recent years. Inspired by natural biomaterials, the structural hierarchy and functional gradient have been introduced into honeycombs, where they have been demonstrated as promising and effective ways to improve the performance of honeycombs.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the latest achievements in the design and characterization of graded and hierarchical honeycombs and to highlight possible research directions to further advance the development of these materials. The topic of this Special Issue is quite extensive, including the design, fabrication, characterization, functionalization, applications, etc.

Contributions are welcome on topics that include, but are not limited to:

Novel graded or hierarchical honeycomb materials;
Graded or hierarchical design strategies for honeycomb materials;
Advanced manufacturing and processing technologies;
Novel methods for performance characterization;
Optimal design of graded or hierarchical honeycomb materials;
Classic graded or hierarchical honeycomb configurations and their properties;
Applications of graded or hierarchical honeycomb materials.

Dr. Yong Tao
Prof. Dr. Ying Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

graded honeycombs
hierarchical honeycombs
topological design
optimal design
advanced fabrication techniques
theoretical modeling
experimental investigation
finite element analysis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 6108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Depth Study on the Application of a Graphene Platelet-reinforced Composite to Wind Turbine Blades

by Hyeong Jin Kim and Jin-Rae Cho

Materials 2024, 17(16), 3907; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17163907 - 7 Aug 2024

Viewed by 691

Abstract

Graphene platelets (GPLs) are gaining popularity across various sectors for enhancing the strength and reducing the weight of structures, thanks to their outstanding mechanical characteristics and low manufacturing cost. Among many engineering structures, wind turbine blades are a prime candidate for the integration of such advanced nanofillers, offering potential improvements in the efficiency of energy generation and reductions in the construction costs of support structures. This study aims to explore the potential of GPLs for use in wind turbine blades by evaluating their impact on material costs as well as mechanical performance. A series of finite element analyses (FEAs) were conducted to examine the variations of mechanical performances—specifically, free vibration, bending, torsional deformation, and weight reductions relative to conventional fiberglass-based blades. Details of computational modeling techniques are presented in this paper. Based on the outcomes of these analyses, the mechanical performances of GPL-reinforced wind turbine blades are reviewed along with a cost–benefit analysis, exemplified through a 5MW-class wind turbine blade. The findings affirm the practicality and benefits of employing GPLs in the design and fabrication of wind turbine blades. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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14 pages, 3194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reactivity Control of Oxidative CL-20@PVDF Composite Microspheres by Using Carbon Nanomaterials as Catalysts

by Shuwen Chen, Minghui Yu, Zhi-Hua Xue, Yibing Ding, Chao Zhang and Qi-Long Yan

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3805; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153805 - 1 Aug 2024

Viewed by 743

Abstract

2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) is one of the high-energy oxidants, but has limited application due to its high sensitivity. In this work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was used as a co-oxidizer, which is expected to increase the safety of CL-20. One kind of novel graphene-based carbohydrazide complex (GCCo and GCNi) was employed to modify the properties of dual-oxidant CL-20@PVDF composites by the spray drying method and compared with traditional nanocarbon materials (CNTs and GO). The properties of these composites were investigated using the TGA/DSC technique and impact test. The results show that GCCo and GCNi could increase the activation energy (E_a) of CL-20@PVDF composites, and change the physical model of CL-20@PVDF, which followed the random chain scission model and then the first-order reaction model. In addition, these nanocarbon materials could reduce the impact sensitivity of CL-20@PVDF by their unique structure. Besides that, a dual-oxidant CL-20@PVDF system was used to improve the combustion property of Boron. GCCo and GCNi with the synergetic effect could increase the flame temperature and control the burn rate of CL-20@PVDF@B compared with CNTs and GO. The energetic nanocarbon catalyst-modified oxidant provides a facile method for stabilizing high-energy but sensitive materials to broaden their application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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17 pages, 9438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Load Application Angle on the Compressive Behavior of Al Honeycomb under Combined Normal–Shear Stress

by Giulia Arquilla, Alessandra Ceci, Girolamo Costanza and Maria Elisa Tata

Materials 2023, 16(15), 5462; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16155462 - 4 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1048

Abstract

A comparison of the compressive behavior of Al honeycomb under pure normal stress and combined normal–shear stress was analyzed in this work. The typical working stress of honeycomb is a compressive load along the direction parallel to the axis of the cells. However, the component can also undergo shear stresses during operation, which can cause premature failure. This work analyzes the mechanical behavior in compression by normal stress (0°) and in conditions of combined normal–shear stress (at 15° and 25°) using a special pair of wedges. The samples were obtained from a 3000 series Al alloy sandwich panel and tested according to the ASTM C365/C365M-22 standard. The different deformation modes of the cells in the combined compression were examined for three angles (0, 15°, and 25°). A theoretical model of combined compression was used to derive the normal and tangential components starting from the total stress–strain curves. A compression curve analysis was conducted at different angles θ, allowing for considerations regarding changes in strength, absorbed energy, and deformations. Overall, as the load application angle increased, both the shear resistance of the honeycomb and its tangential displacement up to densification increased, which is the opposite of what occurs in normal behavior. The cell rotation angle was calculated as the load angle varied. The rotation angle of the cell increased with the displacement of the crosshead and the application angle of the force. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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21 pages, 7268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Out-of-Plane Deformation Mechanisms of Vertex-Based Hierarchical Structures for Crashworthiness

by Chong Shi, Xifeng Liang, Wei Xiong and Jiefu Liu

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103749 - 15 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1331

Abstract

This study examines a hierarchical vertex-based structure that improves the crashworthiness of the conventional multi-cell square, a biological hierarchy of natural origin with exceptional mechanical properties. The vertex-based hierarchical square structure (VHS) is explored for its geometric properties, including infinite repetition and self-similarity. The cut-and-patch method is used to derive an equation for the material thicknesses of different orders of the VHS based on the principle of the same weight. A thorough parametric study of VHS was conducted using LS-DYNA, which examined the effects of material thickness, orders, and various structural ratios. The results were evaluated based on common crashworthiness criteria and demonstrated that the total energy absorption (TEA), specific energy absorption (SEA), and mean crushing force (

P_{m}

) of VHS exhibited similar monotonicity concerning the orders. SEA of the first-order VHS with

λ_{1} = 0.3

and the second-order VHS with

λ_{1} = 0.3

and

λ_{2} = 0.1

are improved by at most 59.9% and 102.4% respectively; the second-order VHS with

0.2 \leq λ_{1} \leq 0.4

and

0.1 \leq λ_{2} \leq 0.15

have the better overall performance of crashworthiness. Then, the half-wavelength equation of VHS and

P_{m}

of each fold was established based on the Super-Folding Element method. Meanwhile, a comparative analysis with the simulation results reveals three different out-of-plane deformation mechanisms of VHS. The study indicated that material thickness had a greater impact on crashworthiness. Finally, the comparison with conventional honeycombs demonstrated that VHS holds great promise as a structure for crashworthiness. These results provide a solid foundation for further research and development of new bionic energy-absorbing devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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15 pages, 1836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Koch Hierarchical Honeycomb: A Fractal-Based Design for Enhanced Mechanical Performance and Energy Absorption

by Yuwen Zhu, Junjie Deng, Wei Xiong, Tianyu You and Wei Zhou

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103670 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2068

Abstract

A novel energy-absorbing structure, the Koch hierarchical honeycomb, which combines the Koch geometry with a conventional honeycomb structure, is proposed in this work. Adopting a hierarchical design concept using Koch has improved the novel structure more than the honeycomb. The mechanical properties of this novel structure under impact loading are studied by finite element simulation and compared with the conventional honeycomb structure. To effectively verify the reliability of the simulation analysis, quasi-static compression experiments were conducted on 3D-printed specimens. The results of the study showed that the first-order Koch hierarchical honeycomb structure increased the specific energy absorption by 27.52% compared to the conventional honeycomb structure. Furthermore, the highest specific energy absorption can be obtained by increasing the hierarchical order to 2. Moreover, the energy absorption of triangular and square hierarchies can be significantly increased. All achievements in this study provide significant guidelines in the reinforcement design of lightweight structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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11 pages, 2923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Successive Short- and Long-Range Magnetic Ordering in Ba₂Mn₃(SeO₃)₆ with Honeycomb Layers of Mn³⁺ Ions Alternating with Triangular Layers of Mn²⁺ Ions

by Artem Moskin, Ekaterina Kozlyakova, Seung Hwan Chung, Hyun-Joo Koo, Myung-Hwan Whangbo and Alexander Vasiliev

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2685; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072685 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1424

Abstract

Mixed-valent Ba₂Mn²⁺Mn₂³⁺(SeO₃)₆ crystallizes in a monoclinic P2₁/c structure and has honeycomb layers of Mn³⁺ ions alternating with triangular layers of Mn²⁺ ions. We established the key parameters governing its magnetic structure by magnetization M and specific heat C_p measurements. The title compound exhibits a close succession of a short-range correlation order at T_corr = 10.1 ± 0.1 K and a long-range Néel order at T_N = 5.7 ± 0.1 K, and exhibits a metamagnetic phase transition at T < T_N with hysteresis most pronounced at low temperatures. The causes for these observations were found using the spin exchange parameters evaluated by density functional theory calculations. The title compound represents a unique case in which uniform chains of integer spin Mn³⁺ (S = 2) ions interact with those of half-integer spin Mn²⁺ (S = 5/2) ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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Review

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42 pages, 30451 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review Study on Mechanical Properties of Cellular Materials

by Safdar Iqbal and Marcin Kamiński

Materials 2024, 17(11), 2682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112682 - 2 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1321

Abstract

Cellular materials are fundamental elements in civil engineering, known for their porous nature and lightweight composition. However, the complexity of its microstructure and the mechanisms that control its behavior presents ongoing challenges. This comprehensive review aims to confront these uncertainties head-on, delving into the multifaceted field of cellular materials. It highlights the key role played by numerical and mathematical analysis in revealing the mysterious elasticity of these structures. Furthermore, the review covers a range of topics, from the simulation of manufacturing processes to the complex relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties. This review provides a panoramic view of the field by traversing various numerical and mathematical analysis methods. Furthermore, it reveals cutting-edge theoretical frameworks that promise to redefine our understanding of cellular solids. By providing these contemporary insights, this study not only points the way for future research but also illuminates pathways to practical applications in civil and materials engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Design and Characterization of Graded and Hierarchical Honeycomb Materials)

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