AN EVALUATION OF THE ENERGY-ABSORPTION OF LAMINATED COMPOSITE PLATES

The energy absorption characteristics of continuous fibre reinforced l aminated plates made from three material systems: APC-2 (graphite/PEEK ), AS4/3502 (graphite/epoxy), and a hybrid AS4/Kevlar-49/3502 composit e, have been investigated. The effects of geometric scaling of specime n size, ply-level and sublaminate-level scaling of the stacking sequen ce, and trigger mechanism on the energy absorption capability in edgew ise compression were evaluated. Scaling method and matrix material wer e found to influence the preferred crushing mode and energy absorption efficiency of the composite plates. Energy absorption and crushing mo des where found to be similar to that of composite tubes.