Sandwich elements and the use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to sandwich elements with at least one predetermined breaking-point at which the sandwich element breaks in the event of an impact. The present invention further relates to the use of such sandwich elements, particularly in the automotive field.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sandwich element comprising: 
 a) a core layer; and    b) two exterior outer layers firmly connected to the core layer,    c) optionally, at least one adhesive layer disposed between the core layer and the exterior layers,    wherein a delamination means is included in at least a portion of the sandwich element on a first (tension) side of the sandwich element, and wherein the delamination means is disposed between the exterior layer located on the first (tension) side and the core layer or contained in the outermost third of the core layer on the first (tension) side of the sandwich element.    
     
     
         2 . In a process of making one of a roof module, bonnet, tailgate module, door module, floor-panel module, load floor, rear parcel shelf or interior-trim component, the improvement comprising including the sandwich element according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . One of a roof module, bonnet, tailgate module, door module, floor-panel module, load floor, rear parcel shelf or interior-trim component made according to the process of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the core layer is constructed from at least one ply.  
     
     
         5 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the two exterior outer layers are each constructed from at least one ply.  
     
     
         6 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the two exterior outer layers are made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of glass-fiber mat, glass-fiber fleeces, glass-fiber random layers, glass-fiber cloth, cut or ground glass fibers, cut or ground mineral fibers, natural-fiber mats, natural-fiber knitted fabric, cut natural fibers and fibrous mats, fibrous fleeces and fibrous knitted fabric based on polymer fibers, carbon fibers or aramide fibers.  
     
     
         7 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the core layer is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of thermoformable and/or thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic foamed materials, paper honeycombs, metal honeycombs and plastic honeycombs.  
     
     
         8 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the delaminating means is introduced during manufacture of the sandwich element.  
     
     
         9 . The sandwich element according to  claim 1 , wherein the delaminating means is introduced subsequent to manufacture of the sandwich element.