Utilization of composite’s tensile properties for energy absorbing systems

This idea was inspired by the fact that huge energy absorption capability can be achieved if the longitudinal properties of composite structures are being utilized. This can only be done if the energy absorbing system postfailure scenario is mitigated to be tearing failure mechanism. In this paper, friction, crazing, circumferential expansion and tearing failure mechanisms were introduced and applied successfully to control the response of energy absorbing system to the applied load. The system was designed by slipping a solid cone into composite cone. The semi-cone angles used were 8°, 12°, 16° and 20°. The cone height and bottom diameter were kept constant for all cases as 100 mm and 76.2 mm, respectively. Force–stroke curves and deformation histories of typical specimens are presented and discussed. The results demonstrated that at first crush stage the energy is dissipated in the form of friction and crazing and the conical responded in an elastic manner, while the post-crush stage is dominated by tearing failure mechanisms.