Digital Image Correlation technique applied to mechanical characterisation of aluminium foam

Abstract

In this paper the possibility to employ the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique for the mechanical behaviour analysis of metallic foam was investigated. Image Correlation allowed to measure displacement and strain fields on closed and open cells aluminium foam specimens under two different loading conditions (compression and shear) and to characterise, with opportune calculation, information on the mechanical behaviour of foams. The adopted technique is suitable to conduct a deep analysis and also to appreciate the local heterogeneities that appear in a specimen during test. The parameters obtained with DIC analysis are confirmed by the global data obtained by testing machine proving the adopted methodology represents a valid tool for the study of these new materials.