Effect of cell morphology on the compressive properties of open-cell aluminum foams

The mechanical properties of open-cell 6101 aluminum foams with different densities (∼5–10%) and morphologies (4–16 cells cm−1) were characterized in compression. It was found that density is the primary variable controlling the modulus and yield strength of foams. The effects of other variables such as cell size and shape were also studied. Whereas the cell size appears to have a negligible effect on the strength of foams, at a fixed density, the cell shape was shown to effect the strength of foams. In the present paper, theoretical models are offered to explain the differences in modulus and strength caused by the differences in cell shape and size.