Application of Auxetic Foam in Sports Helmets
Autor: | Leon Foster; Prashanth Peketi; Thomas Allen; Terry Senior; Olly Duncan; Andrew Alderson |
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Sprache: | Englisch |
Veröffentlicht: |
2018 |
Quelle: | Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
Online Zugang: |
http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/3/354 https://doaj.org/toc/2076-3417 2076-3417 doi:10.3390/app8030354 https://doaj.org/article/9d514ad1fbec42a190ff2f25c510bc0e https://doi.org/10.3390/app8030354 https://doaj.org/article/9d514ad1fbec42a190ff2f25c510bc0e |
Erfassungsnummer: | ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:9d514ad1fbec42a190ff2f25c510bc0e |
Zusammenfassung
This investigation explored the viability of using open cell polyurethane auxetic foams to augment the conformable layer in a sports helmet and improve its linear impact acceleration attenuation. Foam types were compared by examining the impact severity on an instrumented anthropomorphic headform within a helmet consisting of three layers: a rigid shell, a stiff closed cell foam, and an open cell foam as a conformable layer. Auxetic and conventional foams were interchanged to act as the helmet’s conformable component. Attenuation of linear acceleration was examined by dropping the combined helmet and headform on the front and the side. The helmet with auxetic foam reduced peak linear accelerations (p < 0.05) relative to its conventional counterpart at the highest impact energy in both orientations. Gadd Severity Index reduced by 11% for frontal impacts (38.9 J) and 44% for side impacts (24.3 J). The conformable layer within a helmet can influence the overall impact attenuating properties. The helmet fitted with auxetic foam can attenuate impact severity more than when fitted with conventional foam, and warrants further investigation for its potential to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries in sport specific impacts.