Compressive properties of metal matrix syntactic foams in uni- and triaxial compression

Abstract

Metal matrix syntactic foams (MMSFs) with Al alloy matrix (Al99.5 and AlSi12) and pure Fe metallic hollow spheres (MHSs, 64 vol%) were produced by pressure infiltration process. The density of the produced MMSFs was between 1.18 and 1.54 g cm−3. Cylindrical samples were investigated by compressive tests in free (between rigid plates) and radially constrained (in a thick wall steel sleeve) condition. The compressive curves were generalized, and the characteristic properties were identified (structural stiffness, yield strength, plateau strength, energy absorption). The general compressive curves altered in their plateau region: in free condition the plateau was flat, in constrained condition it was increasing. The characteristic properties of the MMSFs could be described by scaling laws and were influenced by the matrix properties and by the relative density of the samples. For the implementation of MMSFs into finite element systems, their constitutive law was formalized by the implementation of the Shima-Oyane model.