Sanjeev Khanna

Abstract:

Closed-cell aluminum foam is a particular type of lightweight metal that can sustain considerable deformation under approximate constant stress, which is known as plateau stress. Therefore, under quasi-static and dynamic loading, aluminum foams can be used for absorbing energy during loading. In addition, the light weight can potentially reduce the weight of the components and reduce overall energy consumption, such as in automobiles and aircraft. In this investigation, aluminum foams reinforced with graphene of concentration varying between 0.2 – 0.6 wt.% was manufactured using the liquid metallurgy route. The compressive dynamic behavior of Aluminum foam reinforced with graphene platelets has been studied over a range of strain rates between 1000 to 2200 s-1 using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus. The mechanical response has been studied at room temperature and at high temperatures of 473 oK and 623 oK. Amongst the four different graphene concentrations studied, 0.6 wt.% displayed the maximum value of peak stress, plateau stress, and energy absorption. The experimental data obtained in the present studies are validated using a theoretical model. The high strain rate response of the 0.6 wt.% graphene foam at 623 oK is nearly 50% better than the unreinforced foam at room temperature for all strain rates studied.