SUMMARY

The proposed research seeks to investigate the response characteristics of polymeric syntactic foams comprised of polymeric microspheres imbedded in polymeric host matrices to impact and vibratory loads. The models developed will allow for the determination of what isolation applications polymeric syntactic foams will be useful for and for the design of a polymeric syntactic foam for a given loading condition. The models will build on the material models for multiphase materials and the designed compliance of syntactic foams that was developed for fluid-borne noise control in hydraulic systems. The developed models will be validated using experimental data to ensure that the models accurately reflect the response characteristics of polymeric syntactic foams. Syntactic foams using ceramic microspheres have been used for impact isolation in the past but are designed to be single use, absorbing impact energy via the shattering of the ceramic microspheres. This work will provide a reusable alternative for the currently employed impact and vibration isolation devices, that may be better suited to specific loading conditions.