Research into the effect of cell diameter of aluminum foam on its compressive and energy absorption properties

The quasi-static compressive mechanical behavior and deformation mechanism of closed-cell aluminum foam were researched, and the effect of cell diameter of aluminum foam on compressive and energy absorption properties was also discussed. Results show that the compressive process of closed-cell aluminum foam is characterized by three deformation stages: linear elastic stage, plastic collapse stage and densification stage. The effect of cell diameter on its compressive property is obvious: with the increasing cell diameter, the peak stress (sigma(0)) and nominal Young's modulus (E-0.2) increase, energy absorption capability increases, however the energy absorption efficiency decreases and becomes more and more unstable. At the same time, the compressive specimen is also affected by the size effects obviously: when L/d >= 6, the compressive property of closed-cell aluminum foam is reproducible. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.