An Energy Absorbing Elastomeric Bumper

Microcellular urethane, as facing for a fixed bumper, was established as functional material for reducing impact forces in low speed vehicle collisions.

The sharply increased modulus at low temperature typical of many urethane elastomers, a cause of high forces upon impact, was overcome in compounds developed during this project.

An energy absorbing bumper of high aesthetic appeal is described, representing a first generation of development. This bumper design is capable of meeting the FMVSS 215 pendulum impact standards.

Testing procedures and data reduction systems were developed to provide ready access to a large volume of test data.