Strain-rate effects on the compressive response of closed-cell copper-coated carbon fiber/aluminum composite foam

The compressive behavior of closed-cell copper-coated carbon fiber/aluminum composite foam with 1 and 5 wt.% fibers was assessed under quasi-static and high-strain-rate loading conditions. The 5 wt.% fiber/aluminum foam exhibits higher plastic collapse stress. The failure modes of fibers in the matrix were discussed. A strain-rate effect was demonstrated for fiber/aluminum foam. The strain-rate effect was more apparent at strain rates in the ∼ks−1 range and is attributed to the rate sensitivity of dense fiber/aluminum composite and to the foam structure.