Impact Response of a Composite Structural Battery in Low-Velocity Tests

The tuning of the structural batteries for various applications of transportation is an ambitious target. The pollutant emission and mostly the process for battery recycling and recovery are peculiar aspects to consider for new designs. The goal is to reduce the weight. In this frame, taking into account that the traditional battery packs do not contribute to the structural performance, it is worth to underline the solution of the structural batteries allows to increase the mechanical properties as they are integrated into the primary structure. The paper establishes the response of a composite structural battery model subjected to low-velocity impact tests. The process used to manufacture the structural battery model is described, and the experimental activities are performed by a customized drop tower and finally replicated numerically by explicit code to enhance the comprehension of the structural dynamics. Differences with respect to a carbon fiber laminate are highlighted both for the force released at the impact and dart displacement, for the same levels of energy.