Axial crushing responses and energy absorption characteristics of aluminum honeycombs filled with graphene oxide modified rigid polyurethane foam

This study aims to explore the potential application of hollow glass beads (HGB) compounded with graphene oxide (GO, HGB@GO) to improve the mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). This HGB@GO/RPUF composite is considered a potential filler for reinforcing aluminum honeycomb (AH). A characterization of the chemical structure and surface morphology of HGB@GO was conducted, as well as the analysis of its effect on the compression properties of the foam. The compressive strength of HGB@GO/RPUF (4 wt. %) is 146.17% higher than that of pure RPUF. This study also compared the deformation modes of AH and foam-filled honeycomb (F-AH) structure under axial crushing. The interaction effects between the foam and AH were also analyzed. The results indicated that the RPUF improves the compressive capacity and deformation stability of the AH through its good compression properties and interaction with the aluminum foil. The use of HGB@GO/RPUF further enhances the energy absorption characteristics of the F-AH. In comparison with the pure RPUF-AH, the total and specific energy absorption of the HGB@GO/RPUF (4 wt. %)-AH increase by 74.65% and 44.98%, respectively. This work demonstrates that the prepared HGB@GO can enhance the mechanical properties of RPUF, and HGB@GO/RPUF-AH is expected to be a desirable energy-absorbing device.