Al–Al2O3 syntactic foams—Part II: Predicting mechanical properties of metal matrix syntactic foams reinforced with ceramic spheres

A model is presented that predicts peak stress, minimum stress, average stress, densification strain, and composite density of hollow ceramic sphere-reinforced metal matrix syntactic foams (MMSFs) subjected to unconstrained compression. These mechanical properties are then used to determine the energy absorption per unit volume and energy absorption per unit mass of the MMSFs. The model is based on the mechanical and physical properties of the hollow ceramic spheres and the metal matrix, along with the volume percentage of hollow spheres in the syntactic foam. Comparison of predictions with experimental data for Al-A206 and Al-A380 matrices of various heat treatments reinforced with Al2O3 spheres of various sizes, size ranges, and wall thickness to sphere diameter ratios shows good agreement.