Compaction of Expancel Microspheres and Epoxy Foam to 3 GPa

摘要

Pressure-volume relationships were measured for unexpanded Expancel microspheres, epoxy foam and one specimen of crushed foam powder. The specimens were jacketed in tin canisters and compressed at ambient temperature and low strain rates to 3 GPa in a solid medium press. Pressures were corrected for friction, and specimen volumes were calculated relative to a nickel standard. The pressure-volume curves for each material show large volume reductions at pressures below 0.1 GPa. The curves stiffen sharply at or near full density. Relatively little volume reduction is observed above 0.1 GPa, and most is recovered on unloading. The energy expended in compressing the materials to 3 GPa and the energy recovered on unloading were determined by numerically integrating the pressure-volume curves. The net energy, which includes absorbed energy, was found to be small. Compressibilities and bulk moduli were determined from the slopes of the pressure-volume curves. The Expancel bulk modulus above 0.1 GPa was found to be similar to that of isopentane. The pressure-volume data were fit to a model from the ceramics literature (Kawakita and Ludde, 1970). The model fits provided estimates of the initial specimen porosities and room pressure bulk moduli.