Citation

Zhou P, Beeh E, Kriescher M, Friedrich HE, Kopp G. Int. J. Crashworthiness 2016; 21(6): 597-613.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13588265.2016.1208715

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study proposes a hybrid structural design concept of polyurethane foam-filled magnesium alloy AZ31B rectangular thin-walled beams which serve as energy absorbing components in automotive applications. Uniaxial tensile and compressive tests, and fracture tests were performed to investigate the material mechanical properties. Dynamic three-point bending tests were performed to study the deformation/fracture modes and energy absorption capacity for the foam-filled AZ31B beams, and to compare these mechanical properties with those for mild steel DC04 beams. Different AZ31B beams were filled with a variation of foam density (0.05, 0.20 and 0.30 g/cm3). It was found that the AZ31B beam filled with 0.20 g/cm3 foam reached the highest specific energy absorption; moreover, it absorbed more energy and reached much higher specific energy absorption than the foam-filled DC04 beam filled with the same foam, although the former one was nearly 54% lighter. The potential advantage of the foam-filled AZ31B beams is possibly associated with the high work hardening rate of AZ31B sheet in compression, which may involve more material in plastic deformation compared with the foam-filled DC04 beams. It has therefore been demonstrated that the hybrid structural design concept of the polyurethane foam-filled AZ31B beam has potential applications in auto-body structures.

Language: en