| Abstract: | The great strides made over the last two decades allow the design engineer to predict performance characteristics in solid plastics. The current state of the art in structural foam is somewhat more primitive. Theories and basic design procedures as well as measurement of mechanical properties require evaluation. Because of the deep penetration of structural foam into the marketplace, especially in the large consumer areas of furniture and automotive applications, design techniques are required to cover the many application. This paper reviews briefly the basic information needed for structural foams, compares empirical relations and theoretical models, and discusses some inherent limitations of foamed materials. |
