Fatigue of Closed Cell Foams

Abstract

This paper deals with fatigue of closed cell foams. The main idea is to use a few simple tests to predict the tension-tension fatigue properties of foams. The required testing consists of crack propagation rate measurements and one tension-tension fatigue test performed at yield stress for the foam. This data can then be combined to construct a synthetic S-N curve for the foam. Tests on three densities of Divinycell H-grade foam are performed and the results support this approach. Some preliminary results from two densities of Rohacell WF-grade are given as well. Static properties of foams scale with relative density and once this scaling can be obtained through various static tests and the same scaling appears to be valid for both crack propagation rates and fatigue properties of foams. The implication of this is that once the fatigue behaviour of one relative density foam is established, one can predict the fatigue behaviour of all other relative density foams within the same class of materials.