Feasibility Study on Deformation Energy Absorption of Metal Foams at High Strain Rates.
Abstract
Metal foams with a high fraction of porosity have gained their usefulness and are becoming a new class of engineering materials. The property attributes of metal foams include the high specific stiffness (stiffness to weight ratio) and the characteristic non-linear deformation behavior. These attributes lend themselves to the areas where lightweight construction and deformation energy absorption are considered. On the defense-related applications, it may be possible to use metal foam for armor protection for military vehicles and personnel. The shock energy induced by the penetrator can by delayed and absorbed in a tailored, multi-layered armor that includes metal foam. This project examined the effect of high strain rate on aluminum foams. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar test and FSP (Fragment Simulating Projectile) ballistic tests were conducted. Results indicated that compression deformation of the foam is in the form of cell wall buckling and tearing. The ballistic stress wave experiments showed that the metal foam is effective in containing rearward deformation of a ballistic target, and, therefore, may be useful for controlling backface deformation and spalling, thereby providing added protection to equipment and personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA365597
Entities
People
- C. J. Yu
- H. H. Eifert
- I. W. Hall
- K. Leighton
- R. Franz