Effects of Foam Density and Wall Thickness Interactions on the Energy Absorption Performances

Abstract:

This paper discussed the effect of foam densities and wall thickness interactions on the energy absorption performances. The studies of energy absorption capabilities are important in order to reduce injuries during vehicular collisions. In this work, three different wall thicknesses are used and different polymeric foam densities are inserted into the empty tubes. The empty and foam-filled tubes are then quasi-statically compressed and forces versus displacement curves are obtained where the area under the curves represented the energy absorption performances. In order to study the interactions between foams and wall, the crushed tubes are sectioned axially and observed. It is found that when the wall thickness was less than 2.0mm, foam densities played an important role in increasing the energy absorption capabilities. However, when the wall thickness was greater than 3.0mm, lack of influence of foam densities on the energy absorption performance was observed.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 393)
• Pages: 393-396
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.393.393
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Al Emran Ismail
• Keywords: Energy Absorption, Foam, Foam-Filled Tubes, Wall Interactions

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