Compaction dynamics of metallic nano-foams: A hydrodynamics simulation study

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamics simulations to analyze the compression and shock wave propagation in metallic nano-foams, revealing insights into their compaction dynamics and vapor precursor formation.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation approach for nano-foam compression, comparing filamentous and uniform models, and validates results against experimental data and molecular dynamics.

Findings

Shock wave velocity matches experimental data

Foam's porous structure influences vapor precursor formation

Simulation results align with molecular dynamics estimates

Abstract

The compression of a low-density copper foam was simulated with a radiation, hydrodynamics code. In one simulation, the foam had a density of $\rho_0 = 1.3407$ g/cm$^3$, 15% the density of copper at standard temperature and pressure, and was composed of a tangle of standard density cylindrical copper filaments with a diameter of $4.0\times10^{-7}$ cm. In another simulation, the foam was a uniform material at the same density. The propagation velocity of the shock wave ($U_f$) through the foam was measured and compared with experimental results. The simulations show approximately the same agreement with experimental results for $U_f$ and agreed with estimates from different equations of state and simulations using molecular dynamics. Behavior of the foam ahead of the shock wave is also discussed where the porous nature of the foam allows for the formation of a vapor precursor.