Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres

Hollow glass microsphere (HGM) reinforced composites are a suitable alternative to energy absorption materials in the automotive and aerospace industries, because of their high crush efficiency and energy absorption characteristics. In this study, a polyurethane elastomeric matrix was reinforced wit...

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Main Authors: Gabrielle Schumacher, Colleen M. Murray, Jungjin Park, Norman M. Wereley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/1012
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author Gabrielle Schumacher
Colleen M. Murray
Jungjin Park
Norman M. Wereley
author_facet Gabrielle Schumacher
Colleen M. Murray
Jungjin Park
Norman M. Wereley
author_sort Gabrielle Schumacher
collection DOAJ
description Hollow glass microsphere (HGM) reinforced composites are a suitable alternative to energy absorption materials in the automotive and aerospace industries, because of their high crush efficiency and energy absorption characteristics. In this study, a polyurethane elastomeric matrix was reinforced with HGMs for HGM loadings ranging from 0 to 70 vol% (volume fraction). Quasi-static uniaxial compression tests were performed, subjecting the composite to compressive strains of up to 65%, to assess stress vs. strain and energy absorption characteristics. The results reveal that samples with a higher concentration of spheres generally exhibit better crush efficiency. Specifically, the highest crush efficiency was observed in samples with a 70 vol% HGM loading. A similar relationship was reflected in the energy absorption efficiency results, with the highest energy absorption observed in the 65 vol% sample. A correlation exists between the concentration of HGMs and important metrics such as mean crush stress and energy absorption efficiency. However, it is crucial to note that the optimal choice of sphere concentration varies depending on the desired performance characteristics of the material.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2226-4310
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-bc71bf0eba6442409ef0bf4f613ba0732025-08-20T02:56:03ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-12-011112101210.3390/aerospace11121012Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass MicrospheresGabrielle Schumacher0Colleen M. Murray1Jungjin Park2Norman M. Wereley3Composites Research Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAComposites Research Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAComposites Research Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAComposites Research Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAHollow glass microsphere (HGM) reinforced composites are a suitable alternative to energy absorption materials in the automotive and aerospace industries, because of their high crush efficiency and energy absorption characteristics. In this study, a polyurethane elastomeric matrix was reinforced with HGMs for HGM loadings ranging from 0 to 70 vol% (volume fraction). Quasi-static uniaxial compression tests were performed, subjecting the composite to compressive strains of up to 65%, to assess stress vs. strain and energy absorption characteristics. The results reveal that samples with a higher concentration of spheres generally exhibit better crush efficiency. Specifically, the highest crush efficiency was observed in samples with a 70 vol% HGM loading. A similar relationship was reflected in the energy absorption efficiency results, with the highest energy absorption observed in the 65 vol% sample. A correlation exists between the concentration of HGMs and important metrics such as mean crush stress and energy absorption efficiency. However, it is crucial to note that the optimal choice of sphere concentration varies depending on the desired performance characteristics of the material.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/1012elastomeric matrix compositesparticle reinforcementhollow glass microspheresenergy absorptionaxial crushcrush efficiency
spellingShingle Gabrielle Schumacher
Colleen M. Murray
Jungjin Park
Norman M. Wereley
Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
Aerospace
elastomeric matrix composites
particle reinforcement
hollow glass microspheres
energy absorption
axial crush
crush efficiency
title Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
title_full Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
title_fullStr Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
title_full_unstemmed Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
title_short Energy Absorption Behavior of Elastomeric Matrix Composites Reinforced with Hollow Glass Microspheres
title_sort energy absorption behavior of elastomeric matrix composites reinforced with hollow glass microspheres
topic elastomeric matrix composites
particle reinforcement
hollow glass microspheres
energy absorption
axial crush
crush efficiency
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/1012
work_keys_str_mv AT gabrielleschumacher energyabsorptionbehaviorofelastomericmatrixcompositesreinforcedwithhollowglassmicrospheres
AT colleenmmurray energyabsorptionbehaviorofelastomericmatrixcompositesreinforcedwithhollowglassmicrospheres
AT jungjinpark energyabsorptionbehaviorofelastomericmatrixcompositesreinforcedwithhollowglassmicrospheres
AT normanmwereley energyabsorptionbehaviorofelastomericmatrixcompositesreinforcedwithhollowglassmicrospheres