Crushing behavior of SKYDEX(R) material

SKYDEX ® material is an advanced lightweight porous medium consisting of layers of periodic twin-hemispherical microstructures made of thermoplastic polyurethane. This material is used widely in personnel and structural protection. This paper reports a combined experimental and numerical study on crushing behavior of such material. Compression tests were conducted on the SKYDEX ®panels at the strain rates of 0.01∼10 s-1. A 3D finite element model was developed and validated against experimental data. Based on the FE model, the deformation mode of the microstructures, strength, energy absorption, as well as strain rate effect were predicted and analyzed. Additional simulations were conducted to establish the relationship between the peak strength coefficient and relative density. SKYDEX® material has been found to be a competitive energy absorber among cellular solids