Crushing analysis of aluminum/composite FML conical structures; Numerical and experimental investigation

Energy absorbers are crucial for absorbing collision energy, and much research is being done continuously to enhance their performance. These structures are widely applicable in automotive crash boxes and other passive safety systems, where efficient energy absorption and structural stability are essential for occupant protection during collisions. Safety and energy consumption concerns have led researchers to make the structures lighter in addition to better energy absorption. The most significant factors influencing the behavior of energy absorbers are the structure's geometry and material. Conical frustum, aluminum, and composite are among the things been raised in the research. In this research, aluminum structures were produced in two versions and with different geometric specifications. In experimental and numerical studies, aluminum and composite-coated samples were compared. The results show that utilizing an aluminum-composite combination can boost specific energy absorption by up to three times while increasing peak force and mean force. Also, by examining the impact of the parameters involved in the structure's energy absorption in the RSM method, the structure's performance has been significantly impacted by the use of composites. It has reduced the dependence of the energy absorption on the structure's geometry, which, along with controlling the process of regular destruction, has increased energy absorption.