Axial crush and energy absorption characteristics of Aluminum/GERP hybrid square tube

알루미늄/GFRP 혼성 사각튜브의 정적 압축 붕괴 및 에너지 흡수 특성

For the axial crushing tests of various shape of tubes, it was reported that composite tubes need trigger mechanism to avoid brittle failure. In this study, static axial crush tests were performed with the new aluminum/GFRP hybrid tubes. Glass/Epoxy prepregs were wrapped around aluminum tube and co-cured. The failure of hybrid tube was stable and progressive without trigger mechanism, and specific energy absorption was increased to maximum 34% in comparison with aluminum tube. Effective energy absorption is possible for inner aluminum tube because wrapped composite tube constrain the deflection of aluminum tube and reduce the folding length. The failure of hybrid composite tube was stable without trigger mechanism because inner aluminum tube could play the role of crack initiator and controller. Aluminum/Glass-Epoxy hybrid tube is suitable for the vehicle front structure due to effective energy absorption capability, easy production, and simple application for RTM process.