Heat effects measurements in process of dynamic crash of polymer composites

In the work, the attempt to determine the influence of loading rate on temperature of the surface of the crushed composite energy absorbing elements was undertaken. The specimens made of epoxy composites reinforced with glass fabrics and carbon fabrics of the structures [(0/90)T ]n were subjected to dynamic investigations. Thermovision investigations were conducted during energy absorbing tests. A thermovision camera enables the measurement of the temperature on the whole surface of the specimen visible in the camera lens while the measurement with the use of thermocouple is only local and has great heat inertia. During the investigations, the increase of specimen temperature related to impact velocity occurs. The temperature increase is caused by friction between the particles of the crushed specimen and by friction between the specimen and the support of the strength machine. At high loading rates, the increase of temperature on the surface of the specimens was significantly greater than the softening temperature of the epoxy resin E-53.