Characterization of an SMC Material for Bumper Applications

AYMERICH, FRANCESCO;Priolo P.

1998-01-01

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Abstract

Traditional yield or ultimate stress can sometimes appear inadequate to characterize the resistance of composite materials for special applications like bumpers. To evaluate the damage resistance of a short-fiber SMC composite subjected to tensile static and incremental cyclic loads, a number of damage indicators were selected (stiffness decrease, hysteresis area, damping factor). The change in integral parameters measured during the tests was correlated with damage progression in order to identify the most suitable damage indicator.