Axial crushing behaviour of Kevlar polymer composite tubular structures under quasi-static compression

Abstract

The present research article is aimed to study the impact of tube section on the buckling characteristics of Kevlar fabric reinforced epoxy polymer composite tubular structures exposed to quasi-static axial compressive load. A simple hand layup technique has been used in fabrication of the different composite tube specimens. Fabricated tube samples experimented under quasi-static compressive load consists of three different sections such as circular, square and pentagon. The effects of various geometry on the energy absorbing abilities and crushing characteristics were examined through quasi-static crushing load and the results are related with the conventional aluminium tube to validate the proficiency of Kevlar composite tubular structures for energy absorption application. The proposed Kevlar composite tube with different sections perceived the best geometry to improve the energy absorber performance in automotive collision applications.