Effects of cell geometry on the compressive properties of nickel foams

The compressive properties of three kinds of nickel foams with different ce ll sizes were investigated. The stress-strain curves showed a plateau regio n. The cell size had a minor influence on the plateau stress when the stres s was normalized with the relative density and the yield stress of the cell edge material. Compressive tests were also performed under loading conditi ons along different axes in the foam with elliptical cells. As a result, th e foam was stronger for loading in the major axis direction, compared with in the minor axis direction. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that the c ell aspect ratio produces a certain influence on the plateau stress of foam , whereas the cell size appears to have a negligible effect.