Due to the high energy-absorption potential of metal foams and their excellent weight-to-stiffness ratio, metal foams in car seats may contribute to both increasing passenger safety and also weight reduction. An overview and the first results of a research project to apply cellular metals as energy-absorbing components in car seats in case of a crash are discussed. The project aims are material optimization and the generation of standards and design criteria for a novel technical application of metal foams. The first results reveal the microstructure and mechanical behavior of different metal foams and metal-foam/metal-sheet sandwich structures.
Keywords
Cellular Metals, Energy Absorbing Elements, Design Criteria