Model for determining mechanical properties of aluminum closed-cell foams

An analytical approach to the cellular structure of closed-cell type Al foam for determining the mechanical properties is valuable for the development of materials. In the present work a three-dimensional model is developed taking into account the cell geometry (circular, elliptic, rectangular and square) of the foam material. The model permits the evaluation of the effect of cell geometries and their effect on two basic material properties: the Young's modulus and the plateau stress. The proposed model simulates an experimental compression test for closed-cell Al foam allowing determination of its mechanical properties. It was found that the values of the mechanical properties determined by the model that assumes an elliptical cell structure are in good agreement with the experimental results for Al foams. These values are also in good agreement with the theoretical results of other investigators. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.