The focus of this research is characterizing a new material system composed of carbon and graphite foams, which has potential in a wide variety of applications encompassing aerospace, military, offshore, power production and other commercial industries.  The benefits of this new material include low cost, light weight, fire-resistance, good energy absorption, and thermal insulation or conduction as desired.  The objective of this research is to explore the bulk material properties and failure modes of the carbon foam through experimental and computational analysis in order to provide a better understanding and assessment of the material for successful design in future applications.  Experiments are conducted according to ASTM standards to determine the mechanical properties and failure modes of the carbon foam, namely flexure, tensile and shear testing.  Computational analysis is undertaken to further investigate the carbon foam’s failure modes and material characteristics in the sandwich beam configuration.  Initial estimates are found using classical laminated plate theory, a linear finite element model and a bond line study.  These initial analyses were expanded to a progressive failure model incorporating damage to carbon foam core and large displacements. 

• "Carbon Foam Characterization: Sandwich Flexure, Tensile and Shear Response"
  M. Sarzynski
  M.S. Thesis at Texas A&M University
  College Station, Texas [December 2003]

• "Carbon Foam Core Sandwich Panels"
  M. Sarzynski, S. Mukumdar and O. Ochoa
  The Fifth Annual Air Force Research Laboratory Carbon Foam Workshop

  West Virginia University [October 2003]

• "Carbon Foam Core Sandwich Beams: Flexure Response"
  M. Sarzynski and O. Ochoa
  The Fourth Canadian-International Composites Conference

  Ottawa, Canada [19-22 August, 2003]

• "Carbon Foam Core Sandwich Panels: Structural and Fire Resistance Potential"
  M. Sarzynski and O. Ochoa
  The 22nd International Conference on Offshore Mechanics & Arctic Engineering

  Cancun, Mexico [8-13 June, 2003]

• "Carbon Foam Study: From Ligaments to Sandwich Construction"
  R. Verdugo, M. Sarzynski and O. Ochoa
  The Fourth Annual Air Force Research Laboratory Carbon Foam Workshop

  Oak Ridge National Labs [October 2002]