The possibility of prediction of the cushioning performance of closed cell foams under compressive impacts has been analyzed, using simple theoretical models. Several corrections have been introduced into the models previously proposed by Burgess. These corrections take into account the variation of gas volume in the foam with density, they incorporate the effect of the falling weight into the calculations, and finally they consider the base polymer effect. Even though the predictability of the model is not complete it provides a useful tool from the practical viewpoint.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
MillsN.J.Rapra Review Reports, 2003, 14 (11).
2.
HilyardN.C., and CunninghanA. (eds.) “Low Density Cellular Plastics; Physical Basis of Behavior”, Chapman Hall, 1994.
3.
MillsN.J.“Protective Capacity of Bicycle Helmets”, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 56–63, 1990.
4.
MillsN.J., FitzgeraldC., GilchristA., and VerdejoR.“Polymer Foams for Personal Protection: Cushions, Shoes and Helmets”, Composites Science and Technology, 63, (2003), 2389–2400.
5.
MillsN.J., and GilchristA.“The effectiveness of Foams in Bicycle and Motorcycle Helmets”, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 23, pp. 153–163, 1991.
6.
MillsN.J., and LynG.“Design of Foam Padding for Rugby Posts”, TMS Conference Materials and Science in Sports, San Diego, pp. 105–117, 2001.
7.
LoveridgeP., and MillsN.J.The Mechanism of the Recovery of Impacted High Density Polyethylene Foam, Cellular Polymers, 1991, (10), pp 393–405.
8.
GibsonL.J., and AshbyM.F.“Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties”, Pergamon Press, Oxford, England, 1997.
9.
MillsN.J.“Impact Response” in “Low Density Cellular Plastics; Physical Basis of Behavior”, Chapman Hall, 1994.
10.
ThorneJ.L., and ProgelhofR.C.Closed-Cell Behaviour Under Dynamic Loading I. Stress-Strain Behavior of Low-Density Foams. Journal of Cellular Plastics, November-December, 1984, pp. 437–442.
11.
ThorneJ.L., and ProgelhofR.C.Closed-Cell Behaviour Under Dynamic Loading II. Loading Dynamics of Low-Density Foams. Journal of Cellular Plastics, January-February, 1985, pp. 43–50.
12.
MustinG.S.“Theory and Practice of Cushion Design”, United States Department of Defense, 1968.
13.
AvalleM., BelingardiG., and MontaniniR.“Characterization of polymeric structural foams under compressive impact loading by means of energy-absorption diagram”, International Journal of Impact Engineering, 25, 5, pp 455–472 May 2001.
14.
IannaceF., IannaceS., CaprinoG., and NicolaisL.“Prediction of Impact Properties of Polyolefin Foams”, Polymer Testing, 20, 643–647, 2001.
RamonO., and MiltzJ.“Prediction of Dynamic Properties of Plastic Foams from Constant-Strain Rate Measurements”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 40, 1683–1692, 1990.
17.
SchwaberD.M., and MeineckeE.A.“Energy Absorption in Polymeric Foams II. Prediction of Impact Behavior from Instron Data for Foams with Rate-Dependent Modulus”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 15, pp. 2381–2393 (1971).
18.
GruenbaumG., and MiltzJ.“Static Versus Dynamic Evaluation of Cushioning Properties of Plastic Foams”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 28, 135–143 (1983).
19.
LoveridgeP., and MillsN.J.“Prediction of Packaging Cushion Curves and Helmet Liner Responses”, Cellular Polymers II Conference, Edinburgh, Rapra Technology, Paper 21, 1993.
20.
BurgessG.“Generation of Cushion Curves from One Shock Pulse”, Packaging Technology and Science, 7, pp 169–173, (1994).
21.
BurgessG.J.“Some Thermodynamic Observations on the Mechanical Properties of Cushions”, Journal of Cellular Plastics, 24, pp. 56–69, 1988.
22.
MillsN.J., and GilchristA.“The Effects of Heat Transfer and Poisson's Ratio on the Compressive Response of Closed-Cell Polymer Foams”, Cellular Polymers, 16, pp. 87–109, 1997.
23.
Ruiz-HerreroJ.L., and Rodriguez-PerezM.A., de SajaJ.A.Polymer Testing, 24, 641–647, 2005.
