Experimental methods for measuring tensile and shear stiffness and strength of graphitic foam

摘要

In an effort to correlate the foam ligament deformation characteristics with the foam bulk properties, it is observed that the compressive test is not a suitable test method due to the premature buckling failure of the foam ligaments. As an alternative, the tensile testing is found to be a desirrable test method for this purpose. Experimental techniques for measuring tensile stiffness and strength of open cell foam are described, adapted to a simple specimen configuration. In addition, a fixture to measure the shear stiffness and strength of open cell foam is developed.