Mechanical and Failure Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Under Tension

Abstract

Extensive employment of solid foam for load-bearing applications such as in impact absorbers, composite structures and packaging, has motivated investigation into their mechanical properties via experimental tests, theoretical modelling and numerical simulation. Although numerous studies have been undertaken, various aspects of the mechanical behaviour of foam are still not fully understood, especially with regard to failure. This study is directed at examining and explaining the mechanical behaviour of rigid polyurethane foams under tensile loading, by means of experimental tests and development of simplified idealized cell models. The investigation has resulted in determination of the mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam, as well as the mechanisms governing its deformation and failure under tensile load. An elongated tetrakaidecahedron cell model is proposed and found to be effective in accounting for the anisotropic mechanical properties of rigid polymeric foam.