Effects of filling thin-walled tubes with different epoxy adhesives on the energy absorption characteristics

In this study, effects of epoxy adhesives (Tra-Con F113, Hysol 9361, Epotek 301-2) which are used for filling the thin-walled tubes, on the deformation, specific energy absorption (SEA) capacity, maximum crushing load and mean crushing load of thin-walled aluminum tubes with variouscircular section shapes (circular) and 2 mm thickness, are investigated both numerically and experimentally. The aluminum tubes were made in the same thickness, height, average section area and material and were subjected to axial quasi-static loading by INSTRON apparatus. Furthermore, finite element simulations were carried out in order to investigate the effects of various parameters on the mechanical behavior of the tubes. The results of simulations are in good agreement with the experiments.The results show that the section geometry and epoxy adhesives filling have a considerable effect on the energy absorption capacity, mean crushing load and maximum crushing load. Investigating both parameters including section geometry and foam filling showed that circular tube has the greatest energy absorption capacity, mean crushing load and maximum load among all of various sections; furthermore, Epotek-filled tubes have the best performance among the epoxy adhesives-filled ones. On the other hand, circular Hysol-filled tubes have the least energy absorption capacity, mean crushing load and maximum load among the tested specimens. It was concluded that the circular tubes filled by Epotek adhesives have the most energy absorption capacity and mean crushing load, while the circular tubes filled by Hysol-filled ones have the least energy absorption capacity and mean crushing load.

Keywords:

Thin-walled section , Epoxy adhesives-filled tubes , Energy absorption , Mean crushing load , Maximum crushing load