Studies on the Dynamic Behavior of Aluminum Alloy Foams

The compressive deformation behavior of open-cell aluminum foams with different densities and morphologies was assessed under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. High strain rate experiments were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar technique at strain rates ranging from 500 to 2,000s(-1). The inverse analysis is used to correct the errors that transverse inertial effect and the disperse effect because of the large diameter. The experimental results show that the density is the primary variable characterizing the modulus and yield strength of foams and the cell size appears to have a negligible effect on the strength of foams. It is found that the yield strength is almost insensitive to strain rate, over a wide range of strain rates and deformation is spatially uniform for the open-celled aluminum foams.