Evaluation of Compression Performance of APM Aluminum Foam-Polymer Filled Pipes Prepared via Different Epoxy Resin Bonding Processes

The composite structurehttp://mts.hindawi.com/update/) in our Manuscript Tracking System and after you have logged in click on the ORCID link at the top of the page. This link will take you to the ORCID website where you will be able to create an account for yourself. Once you have done so, your new ORCID will be saved in our Manuscript Tracking System automatically."?> with aluminum foam not only has the strength and toughness of the dense material but also reduces the weight of the component and increases specific deformation energy absorption performance. In this paper, advanced pore morphology (APM) foam elements are combined with thin-walled circular steel pipes by epoxy-bonding and epoxy foam-bonding processes to prepare composite circular pipes. The direct epoxy-bonding process using epoxy resin refers to coating the surface of APM spheres, whereas the epoxy foam-bonding process involves the mixing of the epoxy resin with the epoxy foaming agent and then coating the surface of APM spheres with this mixed epoxy resin. The compression performances and energy absorption performances were analyzed by quasistatic compression tests. Results indicate that the different bonding modes change the deformation mode of the specimen under compression. The epoxy foam-bonding APM composite pipe has a higher compression load level than the epoxy-bonding APM filled pipe. The epoxy foam-bonding APM composite pipe is superior to the epoxy-bonding APM composite and thin-wall hollow pipe. Hence, the combination of foaming and bonding of epoxy can be used as a new filling process for APM fillers.

Polysilazane as a new foaming agent to prepare high-strength, low-density epoxy foam

Polysilazane (PSN2) was used as chemical foaming agent to prepare epoxy foam for the first time. Using the new foaming agent, epoxy foams with high strength and low density were successfully prepared. The density of epoxy foam can be tuned from 0.321 to 0.151 g cm −3 by changing the content of PSN2 from 2.50 to 7.50 wt%, with the compressive strength varied from 7.39 to 1.25 MPa. The morphology, porosity, mechanical property, thermal conductivity and adhesive property of foams with different polysilazane content were investigated. Besides, the effect of polyamine curing agent and surfactant on foams was also investigated to optimize the as-prepared epoxy foam.