查看文章

In this research, empty and polyurethane-foam filled natural flax fabric reinforced epoxy composite tubes were fabricated using a hand lay-up process. These circular flax/epoxy tubes were laterally crushed under quasi-static compression. The effects of tube thickness (2, 4 and 6 plies), tube inner diameter (64 and 86 mm) and the foam filler on the crushing characteristics and energy absorption capacity of these tubes were investigated. The progressive crushing of these tubes were analysed from photography. In addition, the energy absorption capacities of these empty and foam filled tubes were compared with the existing circular empty and/or foam filled tubes made of metallic materials (i.e. aluminium, brass, and titanium) and synthetic fibre reinforced composites (i.e. glass and carbon). The test results indicate that under lateral compression, the foam filled flax/epoxy tubes deformed showing a capability of …