Quasi-static Energy Absorption Performance of Conical Coir Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

The energy absorption capability of a composite material is critical to developing improved human safety in automotive compartment during vehicular collisions. Experimental investigation was conducted to study the crushing effect of conical coir fibre reinforced composites under quasi-static loading. Three semi-vertex angles and fibre loadings were selected in fabricating the conical composites. Load/ displacement curves and deformation histories of cones under compressive loadings were presented and discussed. The results showed that both semi-vertex angles and fibre loadings played an important role in determining the energy absorption capability and controlling factor in changing the failure modes. It is important that an increase in vertex angle worked as triggering mechanisms providing a stable progressive collapse resulted higher energy absorption performance.