Energy absorption characteristics of hybrid braided composite tubes

Increasing demands for greater automotive fuel economy coupled with increased crashworthiness are forcing a move towards the use of tailored materials and structures. Among available composite structures, textile composite assemblies such as achieved through braiding present immense potential for the tailoring of structural response. This study is focused on the determination of the effect of braid related parameters on the progressive crush of composite tubes. Parameters studied include the type of fiber, braid yield, type of 2-D braid pattern and number of layers used. The use of hybrids is investigated and it is shown that the appropriate use of such constructions can lead to very efficient structures in progressive crush.