Energy absorption capacity of expanded metal meshes subjected to tensile loading

Metallic energy absorption components may be able to absorb energy in different manners, depending on the type of the applied loads, namely axial compression, bending moment, shear loads, tensile forces, or a combination of these.  A stable response through the whole deformation process is always expected, however this depends essentially on geometrical parameters such as length and cross section, as well as on material properties.  Expanded metal meshes are manufactured upon an in-line expansion of partially slit metal sheets, creating a mesh with openings, formed by strands and bonds. This geometric configuration may be exploited for energy absorbing systems. This paper presents an experimental study on the structural response of expanded metal meshes (standard and flattened) subjected to tensile forces.  The study also examines the influence of various heat-treatments on the mechanical behavior of the expanded metal meshes. The results show that the flattened meshes are capable to absorb more energy than the standard ones. In addition, it is noticed that standard meshes are more sensitive in terms of the structural responses to the heat-treatments than the flattened meshes.