Experimental and Numerical Insights into the Multi-Impact Response of Cork Agglomerates

• Published in: Materials Vol. 17; no. 19; p. 4772
• Main Authors: Antunes e Sousa, Guilherme J., Silva, Afonso J. C., Serra, Gabriel F., Fernandes, Fábio A. O., Silva, Susana P., Alves de Sousa, Ricardo J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28.09.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Biological products; Carbon; Composite materials; Compression tests; Compressive properties; Crashworthiness; Deformation; Deformation effects; Density; Elastic deformation; Elastic properties; Energy; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Fire resistance; Force and energy; Impact analysis; Impact resistance; Impact response; Impact strength; Impact tests; Kinetic energy; Mechanical properties; Numerical models; Permeability; Plastic deformation; Researchers; Strain; Stress relaxation; Sustainable development; Sustainable materials; Synthetic products; Thermal conductivity; Thermal resistance; Viscoelasticity; Portugal; mechanical behaviour; Mullins effect; finite element analysis (FEA); cork agglomerates
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma17194772

Due to their extraordinary qualities, including fire resistance, excellent crashworthiness, low thermal conductivity, permeability, non-toxicity, and reduced density, cellular materials have found extensive use in various engineering applications. This study uses a finite element analysis (FEA) to model the dynamic compressive behaviour of agglomerated cork to ascertain how its material density and stress relaxation behaviour are related. Adding the Mullins effect into the constitutive modelling of impact tests, its rebound phase and subsequent second impact were further examined and simulated. Quasi-static and dynamic compression tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of three distinct agglomerated cork composite samples to feed the numerical model. According to the results, agglomerated cork has a significant capacity for elastic rebound, especially under dynamic strain rates, with minimal permanent deformation. For instance, the minimum value of its bounce-back energy is 11.8% of the initial kinetic energy, and its maximum permanent plastic deformation is less than 10%. The material’s model simulation adequately depicts the agglomerated cork’s response to initial and follow-up impacts by accurately reproducing the material’s dynamic compressive behaviour. In terms of innovation, this work stands out since it tackles the rebounding phenomena, which was not previously investigated in this group’s prior publication, either numerically or experimentally. Thus, this group has expanded the research on cork materials’ attributes.