The strain rate and density dependence of the mechanical properties of closed-cell aluminum foam

Abstract

Closed-cell aluminum foam (CCAF) is mainly employed as a load-bearing and energy-absorbing structural material due to its superior mechanical properties. However, besides the effect of microstructural and material parameters, the influence of strain rate (SR) and relative density (RD) on metallic foams (MF) on their mechanical behaviors is not fully understood. In this study, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and finite element (FE) analysis were used to investigate the static and dynamic yield strength, energy absorption, and the effect of SR and RD on CCAFs. Micro-CT imaging was used to visualize the foam microstructure and measure its overall cell wall thickness and other structural parameters, which were then incorporated into the FE model. The results of the FE simulations were compared to experimental data to validate the constitutive relation. The findings of this study provide new insights into the mechanical behaviors of CCAFs and can be used to optimize its design and structural applications.