Energy Absorption Performance of a Eco-Core - A Syntactic Foam

Eco-Core is a fire resistant material that was made using large volume of Cenosphere and small volume of high char yield binder by syntactic process. This material has superior mechanical, excellent fire and toxicity properties and ideally suited for composite sandwich structures. The cellular structure of the core offers energy absorption capability against shock and impact. This paper assesses the energy absorption of Eco-Core as well as its modification by surface coating with polyurea and impregnation by polyurethane. Nomenclature σc = compression strength ec = failure strain ecrush = crushing strain Efoam = foam modulus Esolid = solid modulus EEA = energy absorption parameter I. Introduction ORE materials are used extensively throughout the composites industry to fabricate lightweight and stiff sandwich structures. The sandwich structure offers an order of magnitude increased flexural stiffness compared to the solid laminates. The typical use of core materials is in sandwich construction consisting of top and bottom face-sheets and middle core material. The face-sheets are comparatively thin and are made of a material of high strength and stiffness. The core is relatively thick and provides stiffness and strength in the direction normal to the plane of the face-sheet. In sandwich construction the face-sheets carry the bending stresses and core carries the compression and shear stresses. 1-3