Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Behaviour and Damage Development Mechanisms of PVC Foams in Static Tests

Abstract

Cellular foams are being used increasingly as core materials in conjunction with high strength skins, to produce strong, stiff, and light weight sandwich structures for aerospace, marine and transport industry. Due to their higher impact resistance and energy absorbing capability, cellular foams are being extensively used in automobile applications.
This paper presents the results of experimental investigation of foam density effect on mechanical behaviour and damage development that induce the rupture of PVC foams in static tests. The experimental investigation was conducted using compression, flexural, indentation and shear tests for the foams of four densities. The damage mechanisms and properties of different foam densities were evaluated in monotonic loading tests and were compared.
The obtained results show the better performances of the foam with higher density. The strength of foam material increases with the increase of its density. The complete damage of the test specimens is caused by deterioration of the PVC cells. The mode of damage depends on the density of material and the type of loading