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Density‐graded elastomeric foams are emerging as effective protective structures to guard humans against mechanical loading. This research investigates the deformation of ungraded and graded foams under quasistatic and impact scenarios using digital image correlation (DIC). The graded samples are assembled using two interfacing strategies (seamless and adhered), leveraging the adhesiveness of the foam slurry and bulk polyurea, respectively. Deformation mechanisms, including the effect of the interface type on strain transduction and localization in density‐graded structures, are imperative for improving the impact efficacy of protective paddings. Cuboid foam plugs are subjected to quasistatic and impact loading while recording the corresponding deformation for DIC analysis. The DIC results are separated into three case studies based on the number of layers (1, 2, and 3). The interface effect on the overall mechanical performance of polyurea foam is revealed from the bilayer, monodensity samples, showing drastic differences between the deformations within each layer. Seamless interface samples exhibit greater compliance than their adhered counterparts in the bilayer density‐graded configurations. Trilayer‐graded foams broaden strain–time history, extend the impact duration, and reduce strains. This research substantiates the importance of interfacing and gradation strategies on the mechanical response of elastomeric foams as a function of strain rate.
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Density‐Dependent Impact Resilience and Auxeticity of Elastomeric Polyurea Foams
This research investigates the dynamic response of a novel polyurea foam with different densities by separately submitting samples to single and multiple impacts at different energies ranging from 1.77 to 7.09 J. The impact and transmitted force‐time histories are acquired during the impact events. Deformation of the samples is also recorded using high‐speed photography and analyzed using digital image correlation (DIC) to characterize density‐dependent strain rate and Poisson's ratio. The analyses of the force‐time histories highlight the interrelationship between the incoming impact energy and force characteristics, including amplitude and durations. The experimental results reveal that polyurea foams can absorb nearly 50% of the incoming impact energy irrespective of their density. The dynamic impact efficacy of the foam persists even after sequential impact events are imparted on the same samples, with only a 20% drop in the load‐bearing capacity after seven consecutive impacts. Furthermore, as verified via electron microscopy observations, the higher‐density foam does not exhibit any permanent damage. This high‐density polyurea foam shows reversible auxetic transition at all impact energies considered herein. The outcomes of this research indicate the suitability of polyurea foams for cushioning and impact mitigation applications, especially in repeated biomechanical impact scenarios.
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- PAR ID:
- 10370788
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Engineering Materials
- Volume:
- 25
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1438-1656
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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