Effect of the pore space structure on deformation energy absorption duringcompression of high-porosity composites. I. Low hardening stage

We discuss the effect of porosity on the plastic deformation work density f or compression of a high-porosity material. We show that the strain hardeni ng curve in the low hardening stage can be described on the basis of the pr inciple of similarity. The dependence of the plastic deformation work densi ty on the initial porosity in the low hardening stage is characterized by t he presence of a maximum whose magnitude and position are determined by the str-ain hardening parameters of the solid phase and the type of pole space . We use our analysis to propose a procedure for selecting the optimum mate rial capable of absorbing the maximum energy of plastic deformation under c ompressive lends.