Expansion of composite tubes

Abstract

In this report, aluminium alone, aluminium with glass fibres coated with polyurethane, steel alone and steel with glass fibre coated with polyurethane were used for experimentation. Expansion die of diameter 65mm (1.4e) and 70mm (1.5e) with angle of 40° were also used on both aluminium and steel in this experiment.

The aim of this project is to test the energy absorption and strength of aluminium and steel tubes. Glass fibres are also wrapped onto the tubes to test if it helps in reinforcing the metal tubes, and if so, by how much. Specifically, a tube is tested alone and compared with a tube wrapped with 3 layers and 6 layers of glass fibres.