Axial crushing behavior of CoFeSiB amorphous alloy fiber/epoxy composites under compression condition

Abstract In this article, the axial crushing behavior of CoFeSiB amorphous alloy fiber reinforced epoxy composites (AAFRCs) with different fiber volume fractions (30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%), fiber orientations (0°, 15°, and 30°), and fiber shapes (straight and sinusoidal) were investigated under compression condition. The results show that energy absorption (EA) and crush force efficiency (CFE) of the composites show a tendency to increase and then decrease with the increase of fiber volume fractions. The appropriate increase in fiber orientation can improve the EA and the CFE of the composites. The EA of reinforced composites with sinusoidal fiber is 66% higher than that of the ones with straight fiber. Three damage modes were identified by combining the damage process images corresponding to the compressive load–displacement curves and the morphologies of the crushed composites. The EA mechanism of the new composites was analyzed by observing the damage process of the AAFRCs. Highlights A novel CoFeSiB amorphous alloy fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The increase in fiber orientation improves the energy absorption and the crush force efficiency of the composites. The energy absorption of reinforced composites with sinusoidal fiber is higher than that of the composites with straight fiber. Three damage modes were identified: compression damage, axial bending and transverse shear.