LAUSR

Abstract This work investigates the quasi-static crush response and energy absorption of the layered composite circular tubes formed by matching thin-walled tubes with novel crochet-sintered mesh tubes (CSMTs). The matching effect existed between the CSMT and the thin-walled tube have been observed. The CSMTs are suitable for application as energy absorption components to improve the load-bearing capacity and energy absorption of thin-walled tubes. The load-carrying capacity, energy absorption, effective stroke ratio and crushing force efficiency of layered composite tubes all increases, compared to those of metal thin-walled tube. The increment scale of energy absorption can be reach 106%. The load-carrying capacity, energy absorption, crushing force efficiency and specific energy absorption of the three-layered structure are higher than those of the two-layered structures. The initial impact effect of the three-layered tubes is weaker than that of the two-layered tubes. These show that the former have better structure crashworthiness than the latter. The layered composite tubes show great potential for application as energy absorbers.