e-space
Manchester Metropolitan University's Research Repository

    Quasi-static characterisation and impact testing of auxetic foam for sports safety applications

    Duncan, O, Foster, L, Senior, T, Alderson, A and Allen, TB (2016) Quasi-static characterisation and impact testing of auxetic foam for sports safety applications. Smart Materials and Structures, 25 (5). 054014. ISSN 0964-1726

    [img]
    Preview
    Accepted Version
    Available under License In Copyright.

    Download (450kB) | Preview

    Abstract

    This study compared low strain rate material properties and impact force attenuation of auxetic foam and the conventional open-cell polyurethane counterpart. This furthers our knowledge with regards to how best to apply these highly conformable and breathable auxetic foams to protective sports equipment. Cubes of auxetic foam measuring 150 × 150 × 150 mm were fabricated using a thermo–mechanical conversion process. Quasi-static compression confirmed the converted foam to be auxetic, prior to being sliced into 20 mm thick cuboid samples for further testing. Density, Poisson's ratio and the stress–strain curve were all found to be dependent on the position of each cuboid from within the cube. Impact tests with a hemispherical drop hammer were performed for energies up to 6 J, on foams covered with a polypropylene sheet between 1 and 2 mm thick. Auxetic samples reduced peak force by ~10 times in comparison to the conventional foam. This work has shown further potential for auxetic foam to be applied to protective equipment, while identifying that improved fabrication methods are required.

    Impact and Reach

    Statistics

    Activity Overview
    6 month trend
    675Downloads
    6 month trend
    418Hits

    Additional statistics for this dataset are available via IRStats2.

    Altmetric

    Repository staff only

    Edit record Edit record