Finite element analysis of the mechanical properties of cellular aluminium based on micro-computed tomography

In the present paper, the macroscopic mechanical properties of open-cell M-Pore® sponge (porosity of 91–93%) and closed-cell Alporas® foam (porosity of 80–86%) are investigated. The complex geometry of these cellular materials is scanned by micro-computed tomography and used in finite element (FE) analysis. The mechanical properties are determined by uni-axial compression simulations in three perpendicular directions (x-, y- and z-direction). M-Pore® and Alporas® exhibit the same qualitative mechanical characteristics but with quantitative differences. In both cases, strong anisotropy is observed for Young's modulus and the 0.002 offset yield stress. Furthermore, for the investigated relative density range a linear dependence between relative density and mechanical properties is found. Finally, a distinctly higher Young's modulus and 0.002 offset yield stress is observed for Alporas®.

Research highlights
► Elastic and plastic anisotropy is observed for both materials
► Both show qualitatively similar characteristics with quantitative differences
► Distinctly higher mechanical properties for closed-cell foam
► The ‘big’ and ‘small’ models show good agreement for the closed-cell foam.