Quasi-static compression behaviors of cylindrical tubes filled with open-cell aluminum foam

Aluminum foam-filled tubes were prepared by filling open-cell aluminum foam into thin-walled aluminum alloy tubes. Quasi-static compression experiments were conducted to investigate the compressive deformation behaviors of the foam-filled tubes. Influences of the structural characteristic parameters both of the aluminum foam and the hollow tube on the compressive properties and energy absorption behaviors of the tubes with foam filler were explored. Experimental results show that the compressive load-displacement curves of aluminum tubes with foam filler exhibit a distinct characteristic of three deformation regions, namely, elasticity region，serrated plastic plateau region and densification region. The factors, which include the diameter-thickness ratio of the aluminum tube, the density and property of aluminum foam, remarkable affect the mean crushing load and energy absorption characteristics of the foam-filled tube. The aluminum foam filler can modify the compressive deformation pattern of the aluminum tube. The wall of the aluminum tube with foam filler just folds outward during compression deformation.