Phenomenological investigation on crash characteristics of thin layered CFRP-steel laminates
Yannick Boose, Erik Kappel, Daniel Stefaniak, Robert Prussak, Alexander Pototzky, L. Weiß
Abstract
Most energy absorbing structures in automotive applications consist of metals. Those are characterised by high absolute energy absorption (EA) values yet low mass-specific energy absorption (SEAm). In contrast carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) reach higher SEAm values. The difference however is not a direct consequence of the density, weight specific stiffness or strength. Instead, the failure progression and hence the energy dissipation characteristics of metallic and CFRP structures are different. Whether a combination of the two material types leads to an increase or decrease of the SEA depends on the crash characteristics of the laminate which supposedly depends on the lay-up. The present paper reports on an experimental investigation on the crash behaviour of omega-shaped fibre-metal laminates (FML) composed of unidirectional CFRP prepreg layers and steel-foils under compressive axial loads. A potential of the tested hybrid laminates is proven by an increase of the mass-specific energy absorption value (SEAm) of 58%, compared to CFRP.