Abstract
In this study, CFRP(Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) that has high specific strength and elastic modulus and low thermal strain was used as a material for the lightweight structural member. CFRP is a fiber material as anisotropic material. The anisotropic material is characterized by the change of its mechanical properties according to stacking orientation angle. CFRP orientation angle was oriented in [A/B]s in order to examine the effect of CFRP orientation angle on the characteristics of energy absorption. CFRP is very weak to the impact from the outside. So, when impact is applied to CFRP, its strength is rapidly lowered. The hybrid material was manufactured by combining CFRP to aluminum which is lightweight and widely used for structural members of the automobile. The hybrid member was shaped as a side member that could support the automobile engine and mount and absorb a large amount of impact energy at the front-end in case of automobile collision. The bending test device was manufactured in accordance with ASTM standard, and mounted to UTM for bending test. For comparing bending characteristics of the hybrid member with those of Aluminum and CFRP member, tests were performed for aluminum, CFRP and hybrid member, respectively.