Another type of structural sandwich construction
consists of a low-density balsa wood core combined
with high-strength aluminum alloy facings bonded to
each side of the core. The grain in the balsa core runs
perpendicular to the aluminum alloy facings, and the
core and aluminum facings are firmly bonded together
under controlled temperatures and pressures.
The facings in this type of construction carry the
major bending loads, and the cores serve to support the
facings and carry the shear loads. The outstanding
characteristics of sandwich construction are strength,
rigidity, lightness, and surface smoothness.
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
NOTE: Although the following references were
current when this TRAMAN was published, their
continued currency cannot be assured. Therefore, you
need to be sure that you are studying the latest revision.
General Advanced Composite Repair Manual, Tech
Order 1-1-690, Secretary of the Air Force,
Washington, D.C., 1990.
Fabrication, Maintenance, and Repair of Transparent
Plastics, NAVAIR 01-1A-12, Naval Air Systems
Command Headquarters, Washington, D.C., 1982.
Airspace MetalsGeneral Data and Usage Factors,
NAVAIR 01-1A-9, Naval Air Systems Command
Headquarters, Washington, D.C., 1989.
Aircraft Radomes and Antenna Covers, NAVAIR
01-1A-22, Naval Air Systems Command
Headquarters, Washington, D.C., 1990.
General Manual for Structural Repair, NAVAIR
01-1A-1, Commander, Naval Air Systems
Command, Washington, D.C., 15 July 1969,
Change 11, 15 August 1989.
1-45