Análisis de las propiedades de absorción de energía de un material compuesto de abacá - poliester, mediante pruebas de impacto simulados y su incidencia en la seguridad del conductor de un autobús.

Abstract

This work focuses on the analysis of the energy absorption properties of a material abaca-polyester composite, as an alternative that can replace or reinforce certain elements of the front structure of the bus to reduce the risk of physical harm to the driver during a frontal crash. A composite material of polyester matrix and reinforcement of abaca fibers is studied, since it presents good energy absorption properties, 30% of fractions are taken volumetric fiber and 70% matrix with two reinforcement configurations: continuous fiber longitudinal and discontinuous at random of 10mm. The specimens have the shape of the item to be will be replaced in the structure for the impact simulation, which is a square structural tube of 50x50x3mm, to give the test tubes this shape, Chuncho-type wooden molds were made. He The type of lamination used is compression molding. For the tests the machines were used and laboratories of the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo, for the characterization of the material, by tensile and bending tests. With which the characteristics were determined and the the behavior curves of the material, to later carry out the impact simulation frontal. The simulation is performed first with the material and structure that is commonly manufactured, and on a second occasion replacing the structural steel material with the composite material polyester-abaca in its two fiber configurations. There is evidence of an improvement with the use of the material composite with continuous longitudinal fiber, since a lower percentage of invasion of the elements of the steering system in the driver's survival zone.