Three-dimensional design and simulation of carbon foam

Carbon foams are versatile materials with a wide range of properties, making them suitable for many engineering applications. Like other cellular solids, the topology of carbon foam structures significantly influences their mechanical properties. To accurately assess the mechanical properties of the carbon foam, it is imperative to model the foam structure in a manner that closely resembles the foam’s actual three-dimensional geometry. The goal of this study is to accurately show the actual topology of carbon foams by using a computer model to capture the three-dimensional geometry of carbon foam based on real microstructures. Subsequently, finite element analysis (FEA) is performed to determine the effective mechanical properties, such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. We further compare the FEA results with previously established open- and closed-cell models documented in the literature. The findings show how microstructural topology and relative density affect the mechanical properties of carbon foams, such as Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus. The findings indicate a close agreement between the finite element outcomes and the results documented in existing literature.