Effect of Surface Pore Filling and Adhesive Joining on Energy Absorption of Closed Cell Aluminum Foam

Abstract

The joining of aluminum foam is explored in this paper. Foam specimens were sectioned and joined with commercially available adhesive and tested for its energy absorption capability against a normal foam specimen. There was a decrease in the plateau stress but the decrease is not significant. The effect of surface pore filling by the adhesive was also realized. It was found that the adhesive in the surface cells introduces constraints for buckling and delays the buckling whereby improving the foam property. Interrupted compression tests enabled us to gain insight into the deformation behavior of foams with and without pore filling. 

Keywords: Aluminum foam, surface modification, joining, mechanical properties, buckling