Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohammad javad Hassani ¹
• Mosayeb Dalvand ²
• Meysam Mehdinia ³
• Hamid Zare hosseinabadi ⁴

¹ M.Sc. Wood industries, Department of wood industries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

² Assistant Prof., Department of wood industries and sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

³ Assistant Prof., Wood and Forest Products Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO). Tehran, Iran

⁴ Associate Prof., Department of wood industries and sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: The furniture industry, as one of the strategic sectors in the value chain of wood products, faces challenges such as increasing functional quality, reducing structural weight, increasing durability and reducing environmental impacts. The use of advanced materials and engineered structures can provide an effective solution to respond to these challenges. Glass fiber reinforced Polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels are considered a promising option for furniture applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to improve mechanical performance. The aim of this research is to investigate the manufacturing process and evaluate the technical performance of glass fiber reinforced sandwich panels and to assess the feasibility of their application in the panel furniture industry.
Methodology: For this purpose, the effect of parameters including the type of glass fibers, dosage fiber, type of resin used (two-component polyester and epoxy), and the arrangement of reinforcing layers (symmetrical and asymmetric) on the mechanical properties of the panels was investigated. The panels were produced with a honeycomb paper core and the reinforcing layers were attached to the surfaces using a lamination process.
The samples were subjected to standard ASTM mechanical tests including bulk density, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, edge pressure resistance, surface pressure resistance and shear strength.
Results: The results showed that reinforcing sandwich panels with glass fibers significantly improved mechanical properties, especially flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and compressive and shear strengths. Also, the symmetrical arrangement of the reinforcing layers showed better structural performance than the asymmetrical arrangement due to a more uniform distribution of stresses.
Conclusion: In summary, glass fiber reinforced sandwich panels using epoxy resin, especially in symmetrical arrangements are a suitable option for application in lightweight and durable panel furniture structures. In addition to improving mechanical performance, this approach can be effective in achieving sustainable development goals and optimizing resource consumption in the furniture industry by reducing raw material consumption and structural weight.

Keywords

• Sandwich panel
• glass fiber (GFRP)
• panel furniture
• epoxy resin
• mechanical properties
• wood-based composites
• structural lightening

Main Subjects

• Composite wood products