Polypropylene foam behaviour under dynamic loadings: Strain rate, density and microstructure effects

Expanded polypropylene foams (EPP) can be used to absorb shock energy. The performance of these foams has to be studied as a function of several parameters such as density, microstructure and also the strain rate imposed during dynamic loading. The compressive stress–strain behaviour of these foams has been investigated over a wide range of engineering strain rates from 0.01 to 1500 s−1 in order to demonstrate the effects of foam density and strain rate on the initial collapse stress and the hardening modulus in the post-yield plateau region. A flywheel apparatus has been used for intermediate strain rates of about 200 s−1 and higher strain rate compression tests were performed using a viscoelastic Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus (SHPB), with nylon bars, at strain rates around 1500 s−1 EPP foams of various densities from 34 to 150 kg m−3 were considered and microstructural aspects were examined using two particular foams. Finally, in order to assess the contribution of the gas trapped in the closed cells of the foams, compression tests in a fluid chamber at quasi-static and dynamic loading velocities were performed.