An investigation on low-velocity impact response of elastomeric & crushable foams

Abstract

AbstractThe mechanical behavior of elastomeric foam, in particular, Ethylene Propylene Diene Methyle (EPDM) and crushable foams, in particular, Expanded Poly-Propylene (EPP) and Poly Urthane Rigid (PUR), under low-velocity impact are studied experimentally and numerically. At first, these foams were loaded under quasi-static loading in compression. In order to study the dependence of their behavior on strain rate, the loadings were performed in two rates, 3 mm/min and 100 mm/min. The low-velocity impact tests were applied using a drop hammer testing machine. The drop heights of projectile in all tests were 0.5 and 1 m. The thickness effect of specimens on absorption of energy and parameters such as, contact force and displacement of specimens are discussed. Then, the dynamic factors of force and energy for three types of foam are investigated. Since, EPP showed an insensitive property to the thickness of specimen in the impact tests, it is possible to define dynamic factors for different thickness of this type of foam. Finally, all test results are compared with numerical results through implementation of ABAQUS finite element package. Good agreements between numerical results and experimental data show the capability of numerical modeling to fulfill the experimental investigation.