Effect of porosity and microstructure damage on mechanical properties of polymeric syntactic foam

Object and purpose of research. This paper discusses syntactic foam, a polymeric composite material of heterogeneous composition (polymeric matrix with microspherical inclusions). The purpose of this study was to analyse the data obtained for the structural model of this material, as well as the results of FEM simulations, with comparison between the two. Materials and methods. The inputs for this study were composition and structure of syntactic foam and properties of its components (polymeric matrix and glass microspheres). Main results. Structural model of syntactic foam straining and failure made it possible to estimate how strength and reliability of the entire material depends on the properties of its components. Conclusion. The study yielded analytical expressions for effective properties of syntactic foam taking into account structural defects and porosities.