Study of Compression Soft Porous Foam Materials

Abstract

The paper presents the findings of the research into neoprene-like soft foamed materials during compression in water. The specific features of the internal structure of such materials lead to complex deformations. This is related to the specific features of the internal structure of materials that contain a large amount of inert air. The paper also presents the findings of structural studies which explained the relationship between the elastic properties of materials and the strength of polymer bonds forming internal air cavities. When foamed the polymer sections are destroyed under compression, it results in the loss of enclosed volume of air voids. This changes the total volume and thickness of the material, which defines some physical and thermal properties of products made of such material. Hydrostatic pressure environments have their own specific features. Rheological properties of soft polymers in a hydrostatic pressure environment give rise to a composite effect of compression deformation. The study of recent developments in the research into polymer deformations in a hydrostatic pressure environment shows that it is difficult to record the stages of reversible and nonreversible compression deformation in near-real experimental simulation of diving operations. The paper presents the developments and findings of experimental design studies for a product (wetsuit) made of foamed materials that were conducted in a hydrostatic pressure environment in an enclosed volume using special Drucktank equipment by the Marine Engineering Department of the University of Rostock