Monitoring CFRP/PMI foam core sandwich structures-observing thermal and hygroscopic strains

A sandwich structure was observed from the beginning of life- starting at the manufacturing process up to several environmental in service scenarios. Strain variations due to thermal residual stresses and moisture uptake were detected and reviewed by their influence on the overall mechanical performance. CFRP/PMI foam core sandwich structures are stored under different environmental conditions at thermal and humidity loading anything to regard an application as a primary structure in aviation.