Design of a novel multi-walled tube-reinforced aluminum foam for energy absorption

Abstract

In this paper, a novel multi-walled tube-reinforced aluminum foam (MWTRF) was proposed in an attempt to improve quasi-static compression performances and energy absorption. The quasi-static compression performance of the MWTRF fabricated by combining extrusion and electro-discharge machining (EDM) was investigated through using a combined experimental and numerical method. It is shown that the MWTRF has higher peak load and energy absorption capacity than those of the sum of empty multi-walled tube (EMWT) and aluminum foam (AF). The strengthening mechanism is that AF in MWTRF can stabilizes buckling and changes the compressive deformation mode of EMWT, resulting in elevating compression performance and energy absorption of MWTRF. Moreover, numerical parametric studied on MWTRF reveals that MWTRF with increasing density from the outer foam to the inner foam is the best combination mode with outstanding energy absorption efficiency, and the density of AF and the thickness of EMWT has an impact on the energy absorption capability. Furthermore, in comparison with competing core topologies, the energy absorption of the proposed MWTRF is outstanding on the material selection map.