ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 7

Impact Testing of Flexible Polyurethane Foams
Shestopal, VO
Senior Engineer, National Materials Handling Bureau, NSW

Chilcott, B

Abstract

Methods of obtaining information on dynamic properties of flexible foams from a limited number of impact tests are considered. The test procedure is based on measuring acceleration and displacement during the entire impact (not only maximum values as required in current standards). Interpretation of the results uses two theoretical approaches: stress-strain relationships and similarity considerations. Each approach has its own advantages. The developed algorithm, applied presently to four commercial packaging foams, allows the plotting of cushioning diagrams and predicts the shape of time-impact dependence for an arbitrary drop height and foam thickness. Properties of composite cushioning structures can be calculated.

Keywords:
polyurethane foam, flexible foam, impact, drop test, dynamic properties, cushioning, cushioning diagram

Paper ID: JTE10384J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10384J
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