Impact performance of aluminium foams in a direct impact Hopkinson bar

The impact performance of aluminium foams has been studied using a direct impact Hopkinson bar. The bar system, including the striker, has been equipped with a PDV system as opposed to gauges, which allows for much more complete deformation information to be obtained. A series of interrupted tests which limit the strain in the material to a known value, in conjunction with x-ray tomography have given valuable insight into the failure mechanisms of aluminium foams and the localisation of damage within the structure.