The thermomechanical stress-strain response of intumescent mat materials through experiments and strain decomposition

Abstract

Intumescent mat materials in catalytic converters undergo chemical reactions that lead to material property changes and volume expansion during heating processes. Dead weight (load control) and displacement control compression experiments have been performed to explore static and transient stress-strain responses. The apparatus and methods for both experiments are described. The experimental results together with a strain decomposition procedure yield a master curve that can be employed for constitutive modelling.