Numerical and experimental analysis of the closed-cell aluminium foam under low velocity impact using computerized tomography technique

In the present work, the response of closed-cell aluminum foams under low-velocity impact has been studied numerically and experimentally. Computerized tomography is employed to access three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of the closed-cell aluminum foam. Effective parameters including foam density and the velocity of impactor on foam dynamic behavior are investigated. In order to show the validity and accuracy of results, some static experiments and low-velocity impact tests have been conducted. Results indicate a remarkable agreement between the simulation and experimental data. Moreover, the results show that by increasing the density of foam samples, the highest difference between numerical and experimental results for peak stress and absorbed energy are 35.9% and 6.9%, respectively, which is related to the highest density. For impact velocities ranging from 3.1 to 4.2 m/s, the maximum discrepancy in peak stress and absorbed energy occur at an impact velocity of 3.1 m/s in which corresponding errors are 33.3% and 6.6%, respectively. For the impact velocity of 40 m/s, the highest increase in peak stress and absorbed energy are 667.9% and 370.3% associated with the density of 0.5 and 0.3 g/cm³, respectively.