Application of auxetic foam in sports helmets

FOSTER, Leon, PEKETI, Prashanth, ALLEN, Thomas, SENIOR, Terry, DUNCAN, Oliver and ALDERSON, Andrew (2018). Application of auxetic foam in sports helmets. Applied Sciences, 8 (3), p. 354.

[img]
Preview
PDF
Foster-ApplicationOfAuxeticFoam(VoR).pdf - Published Version
Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (2MB) | Preview
Official URL: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/3/354
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.3390/app8030354

Abstract

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.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: auxetic foam; helmet; concussion; sport; protection; impact attenuation
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Modelling Research Centre
Centre for Sports Engineering Research
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/app8030354
Page Range: p. 354
Depositing User: Jill Hazard
Date Deposited: 08 Mar 2018 09:57
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 02:18
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18862

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics