Fracture analytical assessment of polymeric foams

Abstract

• EPP foams take the structural lead among the set of test candidates. • Different crack-shielding effects of several polymeric foam systems are identified. • The G F principle characterizes the post-peak softening behavior of polymeric foams well. • Hybridization can enhance polymeric foam performance. Materials with density advantages are rapidly gaining ground due to the trend towards lightweight structures. These include light metals, polymeric composites, and various types of foam. A glance at the literature on polymeric foams reveals different approaches of structural safety characterization. These are still dominated by standardized mechanical testing methods, such as compression or bending test. However, from such setups no empirical statements can be made about how the post-peak softening behavior is influencing the structural safety. Thus, a holistic fracture analysis is applied to examine various polymeric foam systems from the automotive industry. Commonly used synthetic foams based on EPS, XPS, EPP, and PUR are compared and evaluated. The results provide empirical in-depth information for decision-makers enhancing their options for the selection process.