Radial crushing response of ex-situ foam-filled tubes at elevated temperatures

Abstract

The current research investigates the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of foam-based composites under radial compressive loadings at different temperatures between 25 to 450 °C. The radial compression tests are performed at 10 mm·min−1 on aluminum foams (AFs), empty tubes (ETs) and foam-filled tubes (FFTs) within a heating chamber. The obtained force–displacement curves are analyzed to investigate the main mechanical properties of the samples such as yield, plateau and densification forces. The deformation mechanism of each individual component is studied at room temperatures. According to obtained results, the radial compression of AFs does not show any shear failure in the early stages of their deformation at room temperature. Instead, the shearing delays at higher displacement during the radial loading of AFs. In addition, unlike axial loadings, the radial compression of the ETs does not progress through successive folding at all tested temperatures. The interaction effect between tubes and foams is observed at all testing temperatures, highlighting a maximum at temperatures close to room temperature. The mechanical properties of FFTs outperform the AFs and ETs. However, at temperatures close to melting point of AF, there is no significant difference in energy absorption capacity of the FFTs and ETs.