Modeling the dynamic response of visco-elastic open-cell foams

This article introduces a mesoscopic formulation for modeling the dynamic response of visco-elastic, open-cell solid foams. The effective material response is obtained by enforcing on a representative 3D unit cell the principle of minimum action for dissipative systems. The resulting model accounts explicitly for the foam topology, the elastic and viscous properties of the cell wall, and the inertial effects arising from non-affine motion within the cells. The microinertial effects become significant in retarding the foam collapse during exceedingly high strain-rate loading. As an application example, a heterogenous case of compressive deformation at high strain rate is simulated utilizing the present model as a constitutive update in a non-linear finite element analysis code. This FEM simulation shows the ability of the model to capture the progressive foam collapse during the dynamic compression as observed in experimental studies. Using the microscopic model, the inertial and viscous strain-rate effects are investigated through the foam density, viscosity, and relative density. Based on the physics incorporated into the local cell model, we provide insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for the experimentally observed strain-rate effects on the behavior of dynamically loaded foam materials.     

泡沫铝子弹高速撞击下铝基复合泡沫夹层板的动态响应

应用一级轻气炮驱动泡沫铝弹丸高速撞击加载技术,对实心钢板以及前/后面板为Q235钢板、芯层分别为铝基复合泡沫和普通泡沫铝的夹层板结构,在脉冲载荷作用下的动态力学响应进行实验研究。结果表明:泡沫铝子弹高速撞击靶板可近似模拟爆炸载荷效果;铝基复合泡沫夹层板的变形分为芯层压缩和整体变形两个阶段;与其他靶板相比,铝基复合泡沫夹层板的抗冲击性能最优。基于实验研究,应用LS-DYNA非线性动力有限元软件,对泡沫铝夹层板的动态响应进行数值模拟。结果表明:泡沫铝子弹的长度和初始速度对子弹与夹层板之间的接触作用力影响显著,并且呈线性关系。泡沫芯层强度对等质量及等厚度夹层板的抗冲击性能均有显著影响,夹层板中心挠度对前、后面板的厚度匹配较为敏感,在临界范围内,若背板厚度大于面板厚度,可减小夹层板的最终挠度。夹层板面板宜采用刚度较低、延性好、拉伸破坏应变较大的金属材料。     

Simulating Solid-Liquid Phase-Change Heat Transfer in Metal Foams via a Cascaded Lattice Boltzmann Model

A cascaded lattice Boltzmann (CLB) model is constructed for simulating heat transfer in metal-foam-based solid-liquid phase change materials (PCMs). The present model captures the phase interface implicitly via the enthalpy methodology, and to avoid iterations in simulations, the CLB equation of the PCM employs the enthalpy as the basic evolution variable through modifying the cascaded collision process. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability of the CLB model for investigating heat transfer in solid-liquid PCMs with metal foams. The effects of the inertial coefficient, permeability and porosity on the melting process are investigated. The results indicate that the empirical correlations of inertial coefficient and permeability based on packed beds overestimate the melting rate at high porosities. Moreover, the porosity has significant impact on phase-change processes. The melting rate increases as the porosity of the metal foam decreases since heat conduction through high thermal conductive metal foam dominates the total heat transfer.     

Prediction of the radiation term in the thermal conductivity of crosslinked closed cell polyolefin foams

The thermal conductivity and the cellular structure as well as the matrix polymer morphology of a collection of chemically crosslinked low‐density closed cell polyolefin foams, manufactured by a high‐pressure nitrogen gas solution process, have been studied. With the aid of a useful theoretical model, the relative contribution of each heat‐transfer mechanism (conduction through the gas and solid phases and thermal radiation) has been evaluated. The thermal radiation can be calculated by using a theoretical model, which takes into account the dependence of this heat‐transfer mechanism with cell size, foam thickness, chemical composition, and matrix polymer morphology. A simple equation, which can be used to predict the thermal conductivity of a given material, is presented. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 993–1004, 2000     

Influence of interfacial interactions on the mechanical behavior of hybrid composites of polypropylene / short glass fibers / hollow glass beads

Ternary composites of Polypropylene (PP)/Short Glass fibers (GF)/Hollow Glass Beads (HGB), with varying total and relative GF/HGB contents and using untreated and aminosilane-treated HGB compatibilized with maleated-PP, were prepared by direct injection molding of pre-extrusion compounded GF and HGB concentrates. The mechanical strength properties (tensile, flexural and Izod impact) were correlated with theoretical model predictions for hybrid composites, which identified synergistic gains over the rule of hybrid mixtures, depending upon the degree of interfacial interactions between the components of the hybrid composite. SEM analysis of cryofractured composites surfaces revealed that the presence of untreated HGB particles induces fiber-polymer interfacial decoupling under mechanical loading of the hybrid composites at much lower stress levels than in the presence of treated HGB particles. Higher storage modulus (E′) and lower mechanical damping (tan δ) from DMTA established the importance of strong polymer-hybrid reinforcement interfacial interactions in the development of lightweight/high strength PP syntactic foams.     

Critical parameters controlling the properties of monolithic poly(lactic acid) foams prepared by thermally induced phase separation

Monolithic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) foams were produced by thermally induced phase separation. PLA solutions with concentrations 8–22 wt % were prepared in tetrahydrofuran/methanol (THF/MeOH) solvent/nonsolvent mixtures at 55 °C. Homogenous solutions were quenched at ?20 °C to induce phase separation and gelation. Resulting gels were mechanically stabilized by solvent exchange. Subsequent supercritical CO₂ drying yielded monolithic PLA foams. Crystal structure and degree of crystallinity of the foams were obtained by x‐ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Morphologies were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Tuning the PLA concentration and THF/MeOH ratio enabled preparation of monolithic PLA foams. Depending on the experimental conditions various morphologies, such as: interconnected networks, thin platelets, lamellar stacks, axialites, and spherulites were formed. Monoliths obtained were highly crystalline. By changing the PLA concentration monoliths with controlled average pore sizes (170–1440 nm) and porosities (80–90%) were produced. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 98–108     

低密度开孔泡沫蠕变松弛特性分析

利用三维Voronoi模型和有限元方法分析了胞壁材料具有粘弹特性的低密度开孔泡沫的蠕变和应力松弛行为.采用了三参量标准线性固体模型来描述胞壁材料的粘弹特性.所得结果表明.低密度开孔泡沫具有与其胞壁材料相同的松弛时间,当相对密度较低时(低于1%)开孔泡沫的松弛模量与胞壁材料的松弛模量和泡沫相对密度平方成正比.此外,计算结果还表明,低密度开孔泡沫在较小的初始应力条件下具有与其胞壁材料相同的延迟时间.其蠕变柔度与胞壁材料的蠕变柔度和泡沫相对密度平方倒数基本成正比.但随着初始应力值的增大,泡沫的延迟时间将会显著增加.     

Formation of Foam‐like Microstructural Carbon Material by Carbonization of Porous Coordination Polymers through a Ligand‐Assisted Foaming Process

Porous carbon material with a foam‐like microstructure has been synthesized by direct carbonization of porous coordination polymer (PCP). In situ generation of foaming agents by chemical reactions of ligands in PCP during carbonization provides a simple way to create lightweight carbon material with a foam‐like microstructure. Among several substituents investigated, the nitro group has been shown to be the key to obtain the unique foam‐like microstructure, which is due to the fast kinetics of gas evolution during carbonization. Foam‐like microstructural carbon materials showed higher pore volume and specific capacitance compared to a microporous carbon.     

基于十四面体模型的闭孔泡沫材料动态力学性能的有限元分析

应用有限元方法分析了基于十四面体模型的三维闭孔泡沫材料的动态力学性能。计算中所有十四面体具有相同的尺寸,主要研究了不同初始冲击速度、不同相对密度以及组成泡沫的机体材料的应变强化对泡沫材料的变形模态、平台力及密实化应变能的影响,尽可能全面地描述了泡沫材料的能量吸收特性。数值结果表明:冲击速度对泡沫模型的模态影响较大,特别受到高速冲击时,冲击端泡沫形成I形然后向支撑端传播;相对密度对能量吸收能力的贡献较大,密实化应变能随相对密度呈二次曲线变化;冲击速度、相对密度及机体材料的应变强化分别与坪应力呈线性关系。     

Ultra low density and highly crosslinked biocompatible shape memory polyurethane foams

We report the development of highly chemically crosslinked, ultra low density (～0.015 g/cc) polyurethane shape memory foams synthesized from symmetrical, low molecular weight, and branched hydroxyl monomers. Sharp single glass transitions (T_g) customizable in the functional range of 45–70 °C were achieved. Thermomechanical testing confirmed shape memory behavior with 97–98% shape recovery over repeated cycles, a glassy storage modulus of 200–300 kPa, and recovery stresses of 5–15 kPa. Shape holding tests under constrained storage above the T_g showed stable shape memory. A high volume expansion of up to 70 times was seen on actuation of these foams from a fully compressed state. Low in vitro cell activation induced by the foam compared with controls demonstrates low acute bio‐reactivity. We believe these porous polymeric scaffolds constitute an important class of novel smart biomaterials with multiple potential applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012