Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Hybrid Thin-Walled Aluminum/Glass Fiber-reinforced Polymer Conical Energy Absorbers Filled with Polyurethane Foam under Impact Loading

Adisak Pawong (Rajamangala University of Technology Isan)
Kunanon Sakkampang (Rajamangala University of Technology Isan)
Nirut Onsalung (Rajamangala University of Technology Isan)

ASEAN Journal for Science and Engineering in Materials
Vol 5, No 3 (2026): AJSEM: Volume 5, Issue 3, December 2026

This study investigated the crashworthiness performance of hybrid thin-walled aluminum/glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) conical energy absorbers filled with polyurethane foam under axial impact loading. Various cone angles were examined. The specimens consisted of unreinforced aluminum conical tubes, GFRP-reinforced aluminum conical tubes, and GFRP-reinforced aluminum conical tubes filled with polyurethane foam at various densities. Experimental impact testing and finite element analysis (FEA) were conducted to evaluate energy absorption, specific energy absorption, and failure behavior. The AL70/G configuration achieved the best crashworthiness performance, with the highest energy absorption and specific energy absorption. The experimental and FEA results showed similar trends, confirming that cone angle and GFRP reinforcement strongly influenced the impact response of the hybrid conical energy absorbers.