Mechanical Energy Absorbers and Aluminum Honeycomb

Abstract

In this paper general equations for a replaceable element energy absorber are presented. For long stroke application (1 m or more) a metal cutting energy absorber is preferred. For shorter stroke applications crushing of aluminum honeycomb material is suggested. To evaluate the usefulness of aluminum honeycomb, as an energy absorber, a drop test apparatus was designed and built. Results suggest two effects, a geometry (“size”) effect and an impact velocity effect, cause the dynamic crush strength of the honeycomb to be different than static crush strength values. Experimentally the net effect causes less then 20 percent difference between static and dynamic crush strengths at extrapolated impact velocities of 50–100 m/s (164–328 ft/s).