Characterization of impact damping properties of open cell foam metals

CHARACTERIZATION OF IMPACT DAMPING PROPERTIES OF OPEN CELL FOAM METALS Aykut Recep GÜLEÇ Mechanical Engineering, MSc. Thesis, 2018 Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Agah AYGAHOĞLU SUMMARY In this study, impact behaviors and impact damping properties of open cell foam metals were investigated. For this purpose, low-velocity impact tests and compression tests have been carried out on foam metal specimens produced. The impact tester using the high weight drop method was used for the impact tests Vacuum assisted casting method is used for cavity-holding material for open cell metal production. The matrix material is Al7075 aluminum alloy. Rock salt is used as a cavity holder. The samples subjected to impact tests and compression tests have relative density of 0,40, 0,44 and 0,48. The samples were also subjected to precipitation hardening with aging times of 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours. The effects of density and precipitation hardening processes on the impact damping properties were examined as a result of the tests applied to the samples. As a result of the impact tests, it was observed that the aging period was not a significant influence on the impact damping properties It has been found that the impact damping ratio decreases with the increase in density. It has been determined that the maximum contact force (impact force) increases as the density and the aging time increase. As a result of the compression tests, it was determined that the plateau area observed in the compression curves of the foam metals generally decreased as the density and the aging time increased. Keywords: Open celled foam metals, Aluminium foam metals, Impact absorption, Low-velocity impact test, Vacuum casting, Aging.