Derivation of temperature dependent material properties of polymer foam core materials using optical extensometry

A methodology for determining the Young?s modulus and Poisson?s ratio of polymer foams is presented. The approach is based on a non contact measurement technique so that the behaviour of the complaint foam is modified by the attachment of gauges or extensometers. Firstly experiments are conducted at room temperature and then at elevated temperatures in a thermal chamber. Readings are taken through an optical window using a standard digital camera. Digital image correlation is used to obtain the strains