Use of Composite Metal Foam for Improving Absorption of Collision Forces

Studies devoted to understand the mechanical behavior of Composite Metal Foams (CMFs) have revealed superior energy absorption capacity under quasi-static loading. Accordingly, CMF is a great nominee to replace currently used materials in vehicles crash energy management system. However, in order to utilize the full capacity of CMF under impact loading, understanding its high strain rate behavior is needed. This paper seeks to investigate the strain rate sensitivity of CMF by conducting Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiments. The test samples were manufactured using powder metallurgy technique and the role of loading rate and sample size was studied. The obtained results shows high rate dependency of the stress-strain behavior and an improvement in energy absorption capacity under impact loading.