2 ms·
Basically, crumple zones for heads. If you could demonstrate that the helmet was splitting and taking energy with it maybe you could make an argument for split
by altcognito 4y ago
Basically, crumple zones for heads.
If you could demonstrate that the helmet was splitting and taking energy with it maybe you could make an argument for splitting, but it seems unlikely that this is a mode of operation.
- hgomersall 4y agoWhy not? Given every helmet I've seen in a significant crash was split somehow, my assumption is that splitting is an important part of the energy absorption.
- ndsipa_pomu 4y agoPolystyrene is very weak in tension (can be broken by hand) so won't be deflecting much energy. The principle is to slow the deceleration of the head by the polystyrene compressing and thus reducing the g-forces to the skull (not so much the brain which tends to slosh in the skull and cause concussion). Some motorbike helmets use materials such as polycarbonate which are intended to provide protection by breaking - quite different to bicycle helmets.