High strain rate compressive behaviour of aluminium alloy foams

The high strain rate compressive behaviour of two cellular aluminium alloys (Alulight and Duocel) has been investigated using the split Hopkinson pressure bar and direct impact tests. It is found that the dynamic behaviour of these foams is very similar to their quasi-static behaviour. The plateau stress is almost insensitive to strain rate: for strain rates (epsilon)over dot up to 5000 s(-1). Deformation is localised in weak bands in the Alulight foam but is spatially uniform for the Duocel foam, over the full range of strain rates 10(-3) s(-1) less than or equal to (epsilon)over dot less than or equal to 5000 s(-1). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.