Compressive properties of a new metal-polymer hybrid material

Compressive properties of a new hybrid material, fabricated through filling of an aluminum foam with a thermoplastic polymer, are investigated. Static (0.01 s(-1)) and dynamic (100 s(-1)) compression testing has been carried out to study the behavior of the hybrid material in comparison with its parent foam and polymer materials. Considering the behavior of metal foams, the point on a compressive stress-strain curve corresponding to the minimum cushion factor is defined as the "densification" point. The analysis of the stress-strain curves provides insight into the load carrying and energy absorption characteristics of the hybrid material. At both strain rates, the hybrid is found to carry higher stresses and absorb more energy at "densification" than the foam or polymer.