Optimization of cellular solids for energy absorption

Analysis of equations governing specific energy absorption for cellular solids indicates that silicate glass-based materials should outperform other cellular solids, including metallic foams. Quasi-static compression tests of silicate glass cellular materials fabricated by thermally bonding hollow spheres above the glass transition temperature (Tg) experimentally supports the analysis. Materials with some of the highest energy-absorbing capacities in the literature (14.8 MJ m−3 or 26.5 kJ kg−1) are reported. Fabrication techniques are generalizable to any amorphous hollow spheres with thermal stability above Tg.