Research On Local Compression Properties Of Closed-cell Aluminum Foam Sandwich Panels

Aluminum foam sandwich (AFS) panels have been widely applied in automotive, marine, aerospace, construction and other fields due to their excellent properties such as light weight, high specific strength, good energy absorbing capacity, good aseismic behaviors, low thermal conductivity and so on. However, AFS panel--a special kind of composite structure, is much thicker than the same intensity of other traditional panel. Obviously, there are many design and installation problems existing in practical application of AFS panels, such as unstable of connection, unevenly stressing, unsightly joints and so on. So, the connection technology between AFS panels and other panels or own connection has became an important research direction in nowdays, and plays a crucial role to promote the rapid development of this kind of material in many fields. Before the connecting between AFS panels and other panels or its own, pre-processing of AFS panels should be performed. For instance, local compression should been conducted on AFS panels to obtain a certain degree of densification to suit the requirements in connection. For the reasons above, the basic research on local compression performance of AFS panels have been executed. The main work as follows:First of all, based on its structural features, AFS panels were simplified to three kinds of two-dimensional random models through C++ and ANSYS software in this paper. The apparent elastic property of AFS panels was studied through simulation under the circumstances of different relative density, cell size or geometric imperfections.Sceondly, four parameters including structural parameters and loading conditions were considered, such as porosity P, cell size R, loading force F and loading scope L. The influence degrees of four parameters and different levels combination on deformation behavior of AFS panels were simultaneously simulated through orthogonal simulation experiment.Lastly, the influence of sandwich structure on the local compression mechanical properties of AFS panels was investigated through combining the quasi-static local loading tests and simulation. With foam aluminum core as reference, deformation behavior and bearing capacity between foam aluminum core and AFS panels were compared and analyzed, which will be helpful for the deformation mechanism of AFS panels in further studying. Furthermore, research results would provide theoretical basis and a preparation for the following research on connecting application and compressive mechanical behaviours of AFS panels.