Effects of interfacial debonding of microspheres on mechanical properties of iron matrix syntactic foams: Roles of Ni coating

Effects of interfacial debonding of microspheres on mechanical properties of iron matrix syntactic foams were investigated through experimental and numerical analyses. Glass microspheres with and without Ni layers were used for dealing with different interfacial bonding states, where the layers increased strength 1.6 times higher than the non-layered syntactic foams. Numerical models estimated stress concentration and early evolution of plastic strain under tension, leading to greater degradation of properties by debonding compared to those under compression. Grain refinement and solid solution formation highly influenced strength, whereas thermal mismatch and load transfer effects were reduced by debonding.