The interaction between closed-cell foam material and brass plate under shock wave

This paper investigates the interaction between closed-cell polyethylene (PE) foam and a brass front plate under shock wave loading. Through experimental testing and kinematic analysis, we demonstrate that the brass plate functions as a momentum-redistribution mechanism rather than a simple energy absorber. Comparative results under a 2.3 Mach incident shock wave indicate that the composite configuration significantly extends the momentum transfer duration, effectively transforming shock-driven compression into inertia-controlled densification. While the composite structure exhibits higher peak reflected pressures (1.54 MPa vs 0.94 MPa) compared to pure foam, it achieves superior protection by fundamentally modifying the temporal characteristics of force transmission. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for designing advanced momentum-buffering protective materials, shifting the focus from mere energy dissipation to the temporal control of impulsive loads.