The Boeing Company
Core structures for composite panels, aircraft including the same, and related methods

Abstract:

Core structures for composite panels, aircraft including the same, and related methods. A core structure includes a core body defining a first body side, a second body side, and a plurality of core cells. Each core cell includes at least one cell wall and defines a tubular cell void. Each core cell includes a bulk region and a transition region. Each cell wall is flared within the transition region to increase a surface area of the first body side relative to an average transverse cross-sectional area of the core body. A composite panel includes a core structure with at least one laminate ply coupled to the first body side of a core body. A method of manufacturing a composite panel includes forming a core body via an additive manufacturing process and operatively attaching at least one laminate ply to the core body.