In the work, the attempt to determine the influence of loading rate on temperature of the surface of the crushed composite energy
absorbing elements was undertaken. The specimens made of epoxy composites reinforced with glass fabrics and carbon fabrics of the
structures [(0/90)Τ ]n were subjected to dynamic investigations. Thermovision investigations were conducted during energy absorbing tests.
A thermovision camera enables the measurement of the temperature on the whole surface of the specimen visible in the camera lens while
the measurement with the use of thermocouple is only local and has great heat inertia. During the investigations, the increase of specimen
temperature related to impact velocity occurs. The temperature increase is caused by friction between the particles of the crushed specimen
and by friction between the specimen and the support of the strength machine. At high loading rates, the increase of temperature on the
surface of the specimens was significantly greater than the softening temperature of the epoxy resin E-53.
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