Dynamic compressive response of coated open-cell aluminum foam

Abstract

The potential for improving the dynamic mechanical behavior of open-cell foams using metallic coatings is explored. In particular, the behavior of coated open-cell aluminum foams under compressive high-strain-rate loading conditions is investigated using computational tools. The response of the coated samples is determined for a range of coating thickness. Results demonstrate that coating thickness, plateau stress and energy absorption are proportionally related. However, increasing the copper coating thickness beyond a certain range can reduce the foam’s specific energy absorption due to increasing its mass. Based on the range of thickness used, it is found that a 50 µm thick coating allows for obtaining enhanced properties. At this thickness, the normalized plateau stress and energy absorption capacity per unit mass increase by 16% and 20%, respectively. Overall, results suggest that coatings can be used to enhance the mechanical behavior of open-cell metallic foams.