Studies on the quasi-static and ultrasonic compression of copper tube filled with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the elastic-plastic behaviour of ultrasonic assisted compression of copper tube filled with PVC closed-cell foam. A series of quasistatic and ultrasonic compression test of copper tube filled with PVC closed-cell foam were conducted at a constant cross head speed of 30 mm/min on dry surface condition. For quasi-static test, specimen was compressed between two rigid platens using universal testing machine without ultrasonic vibration application. Meanwhile, in order to evaluate the specimen behaviour under the ultrasonic vibration application, specimen was placed between a specifically design double-slotted block horn and a rigid platen. The horn was designed and fabricated prior to the test as a medium to transmit the ultrasonic vibration from the ultrasonic transducer to the working specimen. It was tuned to a frequency of 19.89 kHz in longitudinal mode and provided an average oscillation amplitude at 6 μm on the uppermost surface. Following, the characteristics of load-displacement curves for quasi-static and ultrasonic compression tests were analysed. It was found that the compressive load was significantly reduced at the onset of superimposed ultrasonic vibration during plastic deformation and better deformation profile was obtained compared to the one without the ultrasonic vibration application.