Failure Mechanisms of an Al 6061 Alloy Foam under Dynamic Conditions

The interesting properties of Al 6061 aluminum foams have boosted the research on the correlation between foam composition and morphology and its mechanical response under dynamic conditions. In this study, ingots of an Al 6061-T4 foam were sectioned and analyzed in order to determine their microstructural and morphological characteristics, and then quasi-static and dynamic tests (10(-3) to 3 x 10(2) s(-1)) were carried out to determine the material mechanical behavior. Dynamic tests, carried out by using the split Hopkinson bar, highlighted that the studied foam is characterized by a very good energy absorption capability, due to its ductile behavior. Nevertheless, the conducted research showed that cell morphology and distribution affect its mechanical behavior in dynamic conditions in which localized cell collapse may result in a decreased energy absorption and efficiency of the foam.

Automated summary

The research on the Al 6061 aluminum foams focused on the correlation between foam composition and morphology and its mechanical response under dynamic conditions. The dynamic tests highlighted the excellent energy absorption capability of the foam due to its ductile behavior. However, it was found that cell morphology and distribution affect the mechanical behavior of the foam in dynamic conditions.