How would a carbon fiber hood act in a car crash as compared to a stock hood built to crumple? Would the CF hood crack into huge splintering chunks, or would it crack in a way similar to safety glass?
Also, would a CF hood absorb significantly less energy than a crumpling hood? And, is the energy absorbed by a crumpling hood a large amount of energy in proportion to the energy absorbed in a car crash at say, 30mph and 70mph?
Polymer Material Properties - Carbon Fiber
WAG - Material construction wise carbon fiber is similar to fiberglass in many ways although it is both stronger and lighter. How do fiberglass bodied cars react to large scale impacts? CF body reactions to destructive impacts should be similar. I’m guessing extensive fracturing and de-bonding delamination of the impacted area.
Another problem wth CF stuff is that deep scratches in the surface and small holes can reduce the working strength of the material tremendously. Given the beating automobile skin surfaces can take CF may not be durable enough to be practical on anything but exotic, carefully tended cars.