Uniaxial tensile and compressive deformation performance of closed-cell aluminum hybrid foams

Closed-cell aluminum hybrid (Al-Cenosphere-SWNTs) foams of dissimilar relative densities (ρ_rd) were used for their tensile and compressive deformation. The quasi-static tensile and compressive deformation response (yield strength and elastic modulus) as a function of relative density were examined. The yield strength and elastic modulus of hybrid foam significantly increase with the addition of Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) and the increase in relative density, regardless of deformation mode. It is additional noted that yield strength under tensile mode is marginally higher than that in compression. It is interestingly perceived that, in the case of compression, as relative density increases, the densification strain decreases. But the values of failure strain corresponding to maximum stress in tension increase with increase in relative density. These properties are also empirically correlated with existing models for foam materials using the properties in dense materials. The deformation mechanism also has been examined during both tensile and compression test.