Mechanical Performance of Pumice-reinforced Epoxy Composites

Currently, most cellular solid sandwich panel cores require multiple advanced manufacturing procedures that drive increasing costs for applications. Pumice is a naturally occurring cellular solid that exhibits a microstructure very similar to advanced ceramic foams. This work presents a manufacturing process for producing composite panels of pumice stones and epoxy binder. The cost and weight efficient structure is evaluated through mechanical testing and investigated for possible energy absorption applications. Mechanical performance as a function of relative density is presented and compared to currently available core materials, and scaling laws developed.