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Energy Absorption by Expanded Bead Polystyrene Foam: Dependence on Fracture Toughness and Bead Fusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

P. R. Stupak  and
J. A. Donovan
P. R. Stupak
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amherst, MA 01003
J. A. Donovan
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amherst, MA 01003
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Abstract

Increased energy absorption and load result when the contact area between an object and a foam cushion is less than the foam area because of an increased foam deformation volume (i.e. “Load Spreading”). The deformed volume is trapezoidal (i.e. not prismatic) and is a function of the foam dimensions and the object geometry. The load spreading effect is greatest when the ratio of the object area to the foam thickness is smallest; a common configuration in commercial packages (Figure 1).

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 207: Symposium I – Mechanical Properties of Porous and Cellular Materials , 1990 , 157
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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