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

Abstract

In this study, static axial crush tests were performed with the new aluminum/GFRP hybrid tube. Glass/Epoxy prepregs were wrapped around an aluminum tube and co-cured. The failure of the hybrid tube was stable and progressive without trigger mechanism, and specific energy absorption was increased to the maximum of 33% in comparison with the aluminum tube. Effective energy absorption is possible for an inner aluminum tube because a wrapped composite tube constrains the deflection of an aluminum tube. The failure of a hybrid composite tube was stable without trigger mechanism because the inner aluminum tube could play the role of the crack initiator and controller. Mean crushing load could be calculated by modifying the plastic hinge collapse model for hybrid materials. The predicted results by this analytical model showed good agreement with the experimental results. It can be said that Aluminum/Glass-Epoxy hybrid tube is suitable for the vehicle front structure because this hybrid tube shows effective energy absorption, easy production, and simple application capability for RTM process.