Crashworthiness of Micro-Fiber-reinforced Foam-Filled Carbon Fiber Composite Tubes

This study investigates the axial crushing behaviour of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymeric (CFRP) tubes, both hollow and filled with polyurethane (PU) foam infused with varying amounts and sizes of milled glass fibres. The micro-glass fibres were added to the foam during the manufacturing process to enhance its shear properties. Different weight percentage and sizes of the microfibers were studied. After full curing, composite tubes were subjected to axial crushing tests. Properties like load-bearing capacity, energy absorption, crushing efficiency, and specific energy absorption were studied. The results showed that finer 1/32-inch fibres significantly enhance load bearing and energy absorption in foam-filled tubes, with the 1-32 5% configuration demonstrating the highest performance. On the other hand, the non-filled CFRP tube exhibited the highest specific energy, indicating superior energy absorption efficiency relative to its weight.