Mechanical characterization of asymmetric high density polyethylene/hemp composite sandwich panels with and without a foam core

This work investigates the effects of different design parameters such as hemp content in the skins (10–40% wt.), layer thickness (1 and 2 mm), and foaming agent content in the core (0% wt., 0.6% wt. and 1.2% wt.) on the flexural properties of three layer sandwich panels of hemp and high density polyethylene produced by compression molding. The results show that hemp content was the most significant parameter for the flexural properties of these panels. In addition, it was found that specific modulus and strength (per unit weight) were 30% and 36% higher when using a foam core, respectively.