Quasi-static and dynamic crushing of empty and foam-filled tubes

Metallic foam-filled tubes and their empty counterparts have been tested at quasi-static and dynamic strain rates in order to determine their energy absorption capabilities. Data from the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar have been used to generate force vs. displacement curves that are somewhat analogous to pseudo-engineering stress-strain curves. Force balance calculations have also been made. These results indicate that, on an equal weight basis, foam-filled tubes offer greater energy absorption capability than empty tubes at quasi-static strain rates. However, the benefit of foam filling does not appear to be extended to strain rates of the order of 200-500 s(-1). Force balance calculations are shown to have potential as a method for monitoring the crushing of metallic foams at high strain rate. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.