The quasi-static axial compressive properties and energy absorption behavior of ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure filled tubes

In this study, the ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure filled tubes with different filler types, filling ratios and filling positions were fabricated by inserting the ordered aluminum cellular structure fillers into the aluminum tubes directly. The ordered aluminum cellular structure fillers were prepared by the selective laser sintering and the infiltration casting. The compressive properties and energy absorption behavior of ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure filled tubes were assessed by quasi-static axial compression tests. The effects of the ordered cellular structure types, filling ratios and filling positions on compressive properties and energy absorption behavior of ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure filled tubes were investigated. The results show that both the uniform and graded ordered aluminum cellular structures as filler materials can significantly improve the compressive properties and energy absorption behavior. Meanwhile, the compressive properties and energy absorption behavior of ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure filled tubes can be tailored by changing the filling ratios and positions. It is noticed that the ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure vertically filled the middle part of the thin-walled tubes exhibit superior compressive properties and energy absorption behavior compared with the ex-situ ordered aluminum cellular structure horizontally filled the bottom of the thin-walled tubes.