The energy absorption potential of chain composites Original Research Article

Various chain composites designed to exhibit delocalized damage and high-energy absorption have been fabricated and tested. The energy absorbed per unit volume ranges up to 55 MJ/m3 and the specific energy absorption up to 14 J/g, figures comparable to or exceeding the best current candidate materials for energy absorption. Observations of damage mechanisms are reported and related to a previously derived model appropriate to chain composites with matrices that are relatively weak in tension. Estimates of the energy absorption levels that could be achieved in the optimal case are then made based on modeling arguments. These are found to exceed 160 MJ/m3 or 40 J/g.