Effect of alumina nano‐particles on collapse behavior and energy absorption of laterally loaded glass/epoxy composite tubes

Abstract Due to its exceptional mechanical and crashworthiness properties, lightweight nanocomposites have recently been used more and more in aviation, defense, nautical, and automotive applications. Nanocomposite cylinders could be effectively employed in this respect as energy‐absorbing components for decreasing the impact energy during vehicle crashes. The current work examined the crashworthiness response of nano‐alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) filled glass fiber reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composite tubes using quasi‐static lateral compressive loads. Crushing profiles and crush force–deformation curves of all representative samples were recorded and discussed. The total absorbed energy (AE) and specific absorbed energy (SEA) for tested specimens were assessed. Furthermore, a multi‐attribute decision making (MADM) technique known as complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) was used to compute the optimum nano‐Al 2 O 3 wt%. Based on the experimental results, the addition of 1, 2, and 3 wt% of nano‐Al 2 O 3 enhanced AE by 7.69%, 18.14%, and 51.21% and SEA by 3.43%, 13.98%, and 39.84%, respectively. While deteriorations of 6.59% and 17.41% in AE and SEA, respectively, were recorded with the addition of 4 wt% of nano‐Al 2 O 3 . Overall findings showed that (GFRE) composite tubes with 3 wt% of nano‐Al 2 O 3 have a special potential to absorb energy. Highlights The designed tubes, that is, GFRE tubes filled with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% of nano‐alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) were created using wet‐wrapping by hand lay‐up technique. The fabricated tubes were subjected to lateral compression loads to investigate their crashworthiness behavior. The crashing load and absorbed energy versus displacement responses for the laterally loaded tubes were exposed. The histories of deformation were also examined. Complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) was used to find the optimum nano‐Al 2 O 3 wt%.