Compressive behavior and energy absorption of metal porous polymer composite with interpenetrating network structure

Interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) are a new class of composite materials with improved combinations of mechanical and physical properties. This study was performed on a new type of IPC called metal porous polymer composite (MPPC) with an interpenetrating network structure. Aluminum-polypropylene (Al-PE) and Aluminum-epoxy resin (Al-Ep) composites were produced by infiltrating the polymer in the aluminum foam. The composite microstructures were characterized using SEM observation. The compressive behavior and energy absorption characteristics of MPPC were investigated and compared with the aluminum foams. The compressive modulus of composite was compared with the VOIGT-REUSS bounds and HASHIN-SHTRIKMAN (H-S) bounds models. The experimental modulus of compressive tests falls well within the theoretical models.