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Novel Composite Foam Concept for Head Protection in Oblique Impacts
Author(s) -
Mosleh Yasmine,
Vander Sloten Jos,
Depreitere Bart,
Ivens Jan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced engineering materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1527-2648
pISSN - 1438-1656
DOI - 10.1002/adem.201700059
Subject(s) - materials science , oblique case , composite number , composite material , anisotropy , head (geology) , shear (geology) , metal foam , structural engineering , engineering , optics , physics , geology , philosophy , linguistics , geomorphology , aluminium
Rotational acceleration experienced by the head during oblique impacts is known to cause traumatic brain injuries. It is hypothesized that shear properties of a foam layer, used for head protection (e.g., protective helmet liners, headliners in cars) can be related to the extent of rotational acceleration transmitted to the head. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that by introducing anisotropy in a foam layer, rotational acceleration can be mitigated. In this study, an anisotropic composite foam concept is proposed to mitigate head rotational acceleration, hence reducing the risk of traumatic brain injuries. The composite foam concept introduces anisotropy in a foam at the “macro level”, combining different densities of foam in layered and quasi‐fiber/matrix configurations. The performance of expanded polystyrene (EPS) composite foams in quasi‐static compression and combined shear‐compression loading and also linear and oblique impact experiments, has been compared with the performance of single layer EPS foam of similar thickness and density. The results of oblique head impact have been analyzed by global head injury criteria such as HIC, HIC rot , and HIP. The composite foam concept demonstrates a great potential to be utilized in applications such as protective helmets due to the significant mitigation of brain injury risk.