The Boeing Company
Sandwich composite with shape memory alloy core and method of making same

Abstract:

A composite sandwich structure for a vehicle includes a first sheet that has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The composite sandwich structure also includes a second sheet opposite the first sheet and a core coupled between the first and second sheets. The core is formed from a shape memory alloy and is configured to reversibly transform between (a) a substantially fully austenite state in response to the composite sandwich structure being within an expected operating temperature range and being subjected to a relatively low transverse force, and (b) an at least partially martensite state in response to the composite sandwich structure being within the expected operating temperature range and being subjected to a relatively high transverse force. Each of a plurality of first portions of the core correspondingly changes shape to accommodate the application of the relatively high force, such that the core reversibly deforms.