Impact loading of functionally graded metal syntactic foams

The present study addresses the impact loading of functionally graded metal syntactic foams (FG-MSF). For comparison, samples of the same material were also compression loaded at quasi-static velocities. Samples of A356 aluminium FG-MSF were produced using counter-gravity infiltration casting with combination of equal-sized layers of expanded perlite (EP) and activated carbon (AC) particles. A modified Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar test set-up was used to impact the FG-MSFs from their EP or AC layers at 55 m/s or 175 m/s impact velocities. A high-speed camera captured the deformation of the samples during testing. It was shown that increasing the loading velocity enhanced both the compressive proof strength and energy absorption of the impacted FG-MSF from both layers, confirming a dynamic strengthening effect of the foam. The samples impacted from both layers at 55 and 175 m/s showed a transition and a shock mode of deformation, respectively. The impacted samples at 55 m/s experienced lower final average strain values compared to 175 m/s. •Impact properties of functionally graded metal syntactic foams were studied.•Their compressive strength and energy absorption increased with impact velocity.•Different deformation modes were observed for low and high impact velocities.