High Strain Rate Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Aluminum Foams

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of closed-cell aluminum foam composites under different compressive loadings has been investigated. Closed-cell aluminum foam composites made using the liquid metallurgy route were reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different concentrations, namely, 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight. The reinforced foams were experimentally tested under dynamic compression using the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system over a range of strain rates (up to 2200 s−1). For comparison, aluminum foams were also tested under quasi-static compression. It was observed that closed-cell aluminum foam composites are strain rate sensitive. The mechanical properties of CNT reinforced Al-foams, namely, yield stress, plateau stress, and energy absorption capacity are significantly higher than that of monolithic Al-foam under both low and high strain rates.