Mechanical response of aluminum honeycombs under indentation and combined compression-shear loadings

Mechanical responses of aluminum honeycombs were investigated by experimental and numerical analyses to study the effect of strain rate, relative density and loading angle on the deformation mechanism and crushing behaviour. An empirical formula was proposed to describe the relationship between the tearing energy per unit fracture area, and the relative density and strain rate for honeycombs subjected to indentation. Crushing envelopes of honeycombs were proposed for different loading angles, relative density and loading velocity. This study will enhance the use of aluminium honeycomb not only as lightweight material but also as energy absorber in different manufacturing industries.