Metrologies for Performance of Impact Mitigating Materials

Published

June 12, 2017

Author(s)

Aaron M. Forster, Michael A. Riley

Abstract

Soft non-linear materials are used to mitigate energy transfer between objects during high rate or frequency events. These impact mitigating materials (IMM) are used in a wide range of applications such as isolating rotating equipment, protecting buildings during earthquakes, and protecting humans from blunt impact. While IMMs have been successful at protecting electronic equipment, automobiles, and buildings for decades, the threats for these applications are specific in maximum energy, velocity, and impact angle. Protecting the brain from a concussion in sports is a less concrete challenge. Impact energies and velocities cover a broad range depending on the sport and participant skill. The angle of impact and frequency of impact are not consistent depending on position and whether the head is impacting another head, body part, or ground. The rise in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) rates [1-2] in sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse suggests new materials and metrologies are required to protect humans from blunt impact.

Proceedings Title

Society of Experimental Mechanics Mechanics of Time Dependent Materials

Conference Dates

June 12-15, 2017

Conference Location

indianapolis, IN, US

Conference Title

Society of Experimental Mechanics Proceedings

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

impact, foam, soft materials

Citation

Forster, A. and Riley, M. (2017), Metrologies for Performance of Impact Mitigating Materials, Society of Experimental Mechanics Mechanics of Time Dependent Materials, indianapolis, IN, US (Accessed December 30, 2024)