Specific energy absorption and vehicle weight criteria to be observed in body development for improved occupant protection and compatability.

THE PRESENT PAPER GIVES AN IDEA OF THE USABILITY AND LIMITS OF ALUMINIUM SHEET FOR APPLICATION IN ENERGY ABSORBING BODY STRUCTURES AS COMPARED TO STEEL SHEET. THE COMPARISON SHOWS THAT THE SPECIFIC ENERGY ABSORPTION OF ALUMINIUM SHEETS IS AT LEAST 30 PER CENT HIGHER OVER WIDE RANGES OF REAL ACCIDENT COLLISIONS. SO, THE USE OF ALUMINIUM SHEETS IN COMBINATION WITH EFFICIENT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ALLOWS TO IMPROVE THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION WITHOUT INCREASING THE VEHICLE WEIGHT. IT MUST BE QUALIFIED, HOWEVER, THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC PROBLEMS RELATED WITH ALUMINIUM HAVE TO BE SOLVED PRIOR TO INTRODUCING INTO SERIES PRODUCTION. (A) FOR THE COVERING ABSTRACT OF SECTION 5 SEE IRRD 266063. FOR THE COVERING ABSTRACT OF THE CONFERENCE SEE IRRD 266046.