An Evaluation of Energy Absorption under Three-Point Bending Deformation at Higher Deflection Rate for TRIP Steel

Abstract

In the last few decades, energy absorption of materials becomes an critical issue in a design process of a vehicle because risks of primary and secondary accidents against pedestrians, other road users and structures can be reduced by a performance of absorbing energy in its support structures. Among various materials used for the structures, TRIP steel with favorable mechanical properties such as excellent formability and higher impact energy absorption is attractive to automotive industries. Huge numbers of research works have been carried out to investigate deformation behavior of TRIP steel. However, just few studies can be found on the performance in TRIP steel, especially, at higher deformation rate during the crash of the vehicle. Kinetic energy by higher speed of the vehicle will be consumed by inelastic bending deformation of components. Thus, a consideration of bending deformation at high impact velocity is required for the evaluation of the performance. In this study, the performance in TRIP steel at high deformation rate is clarified by conducting both quasi-static and impact three-point bending tests for pre-cracked specimen.