Energy Absorption of Different Cell Structures for Closed-Cell Foam-Filled Tubes Subject to Uniaxial Compression

Abstract

The energy absorption of different cell structures for closed-cell aluminum foam-filled Al tubes are investigated through quasi-static compression testing. Aluminum foams are fabricated under different pressures, obtaining aluminum foams with different cell sizes. It is found that the deformation of the foam core is close to the overall deformation, and the deformation band is seriously expanded when the cell size is fined, which leads to the increase of interaction. Results confirm that the foam-filled tubes absorb more energy due to the increase of interaction between the foam core and tube wall when the foaming pressure increases. The energy absorption efficiency of foam-filled tubes can reach a maximum value of 90% when the foam core is fabricated under 0.30 MPa, which demonstrates that aluminum foams fabricated under increased pressure give a new way for the applications of foam-filled tubes in the automotive industry.

Keywords

• foam-filled tube
• compression test
• energy absorption efficiency
• increased pressure foaming