Study on the energy absorption characteristics of multi-spherical point-contact cushioning components

Abstract Under the impact load, the weak parts in the structure are prone to damage, leading to the failure of the whole equipment to work properly. Selecting appropriate cushioning materials to resist impact is a commonly used technical method. Generally, the cushioning efficiency of cushioning materials is proportional to their thickness. For structures with unlimited space, the impact resistance can be improved by increasing the thickness of cushioning materials. However, for structures with limited space, ductile metals are generally selected as cushioning materials to absorb energy through plastic deformation. In this paper, a cushioning component with a multi-spherical point contact structure is designed and processed with ductile metal. Energy absorption properties of the structure under the same impact load with different spherical diameters and numbers are studied based on the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test. The test results show that under the same impact load, the larger the spherical diameter is, the smaller the impact deformation is. Energy absorption efficiency is proportional to the number and diameter of the spheres. The maximum energy absorption of the 4×Sϕ6 spherical structure is 26.6J, with an energy absorption rate of 37.3%. The research results provide guidance for the design of cushioning components under impact load.