Axial crushing responses of aluminum honeycomb structures filled with elastomeric polyurethane foam. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohamadi, Yousef; Ahmadi, Hamed; Razmkhah, Omid; Liaghat, Gholamhossein
• Is Part Of: Thin-walled structures. Volume 164(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Honeycomb -- Elastomeric polyurethane foam -- Energy absorption -- Low-velocity impact -- Quasi static compression; Thin-walled structures -- Periodicals; 690.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2021.107785
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8231

Abstract

Abstract: In this study the energy absorption of elastomeric foam-filled aluminum honeycomb under quasi-static compression loading and low velocity impact was experimentally investigated. Commercially available Al honeycomb made of Al5052 H38 filled with elastomeric polyurethane foam was used as the specimens. Pure polyurethane had a shore hardness of 30A and to make it foam, different volume fraction of glass microballoon was added to it and a novel material was synthesized that simultaneously had the properties of elastomers and foams Energy absorption of the specimens were evaluated by different parameters such as peak load, crushing load and absorbed energy. Also, the effective failure mechanisms were fully discussed. The results showed that the addition of polyurethane to the honeycomb cells had no significant effect on energy absorption enhancement. However, the addition of glass microballoon particles to the elastomer considerably raised the maximum load, mean crushing load, and total absorbed energy and unlike conventional filled structures, it had been significantly less deformed and could act as an energy absorber against impact many times. Highlights: The addition of glass microballoon particles to the elastomer reduced the weight. The elastomer-foam filled honeycomb experienced much smaller permanent deformation. The addition of glass microballoon particles to the elastomer considerably decreased the ultimate deformation. Considering the small ultimate permanent deformation of the filled honeycomb could continue to be used as energy absorbers after the impact.