Axial Compression of Aluminum Closed-Cell Foam Filled and Empty Aluminum Tubes

Abstract

Aluminum closed-cell foam filled aluminum tubes with a polyester bonding layer between foam core and tube wall have been compression tested in ord er to detemiine specific energy absorption for the crash box applications. Aluminum foam, empty and foam filled tubes without bonding layer were also tested for comparison purposes, Preliminary results have shown that interaction effect has been found in foam filled tubes with polyester layer. In order to identify deforiDation mechanisms involving with tube deforination, deformed empty and foam filled tubes crosssections were microscopically analyzed and operative defoimationmechanisms were determined.