Characterization of Aluminum Foam Impact Response

The paper addresses the investigation of high-strain rate compressive behavior of Al foams subjected to impact at the intermediate striking velocity ranged from 40 to roughly about 80 m/s. Relatively ductile AlSiMg foam and high-strength AlZnMg foam, whose cell walls contain numerous brittle eutectic domains, are used in the experiments. Strain-rate sensitivity for different structural kinds of Al foams is determined by comparison of the plateau stress achieved at the dynamical and quasistatic compression. Difference in the dynamical response of these Al foams is revealed and clarified based on the strain rate and inertia effects under conditions of plastic cell collapse or brittle damage of the cell wall material induced by cracking of eutectic domains.