EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N35618/01
Title: AN INVESTIGATION OF ENERGY-ABSORBING CHARACTERISTICS OF NOVEL ALUMINIUM FOAM SANDWICH STRUCTURES
Principal Investigator: Cantwell, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Mines, Dr RAW Jones, Professor N
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: School of Engineering
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2001 Ends: 31 December 2003 Value (£): 173,882
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Transport Systems and Vehicles No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
SummaryThe aim of the proposed research project is to investigate the fracture properties and energy-absorbing characteristics of sandwich structures based on high performance aluminium foam. Initially, the properties and characteristics of systems based on glass fibre reinforced polypropylene skins will be investigated. Here, attention will focus on optimising the processing parameters in order to achieve a strong bond across the skin-core interface. Once this has been achieved, the impact properties and energy-absorbing characteristics of aluminium foam core sandwich structures based on fibre-metal skins will be investigated.It is believed that these structures will offer the following advantages over traditional sandwich systems:(i) reduced manufacturing times (several minutes compared to many hours)(ii) lower manufacturing costs (iii) a superior energy-absorbing capacity(iv) reduced toxicity in fire environments(v) lower equipment costs (many manufacturers are equipped with appropriate stamping facilities).
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk