Effect of the Pore Space Structure on Deformation Energy Absorption during Compression of High-Porosity Composites. Part I. Low Hardening Stage

We discuss the effect of porosity on the plastic deformation work density for compression of a high-porosity material. We show that the strain hardening curve in the low hardening stage can be described on the basis of the principle of similarity. The dependence of the plastic deformation work density on the initial porosity in the low hardening stage is characterized by the presence of a maximum whose magnitude and position are determined by the strain hardening parameters of the solid phase and the type of pore space. We use our analysis to propose a procedure for selecting the optimum material capable of absorbing the maximum energy of plastic deformation under compressive loads.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]