Silicate Foam for Airdrop Cushioning

摘要

Sodium silicate foam was proposed as a possible substitute for paper honeycomb as an airdrop cushion. Experimental efforts to implement silicate foam panels using a 2 kilowatt microwave energy source proved inadequate. Larger energy input with a more uniform flux appeared to be necessary to accommodate the size of panels desired. A sodium silicate/perlite aggregate formulation was found to fulfill most of the product specifications. Areas for improvement include collapsed to expanded ratio, maximum strain level, rectangularity of stress-strain curve, product density and friability. The silicate/perlite formulation and foamed sodium silicate formulations allow a wide latitude of variation and control. It is believed that optimization of formulation and heating equipment can be realized. (Author)