TAO Ping, CHEN Xiaoli, NIU Wei

(Institute of Structural Mechanics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900)

Abstract: Based on the principle of Karl-Fischer moisture analysis, the micro-moisture measurements of different silicon foam in different stockpile environments are conducted. The stockpile environments of silicon foams are changed through the constant temperature/moisture cabinet of CSS-237 relaxing/creeping test machine. The moisture variation of silicon foam and its effect on the mechanical performance are studied. The research results indicate that, a homeostasis exists between the micro-moisture of silicon foams and environmental humidity, and the open-cell silicon foams have less moisture and are little influenced by the environmental conditions. In the mean time, with the increasing moisture of silicon foams, its maximum compressive strain tends to rise up.

Key words: silicon foam, micro-moisture measurement, compressibility