Research on the Dynamic Compressibility of Polyurethane Microcellular Elastomer and its Application for Impact Resistance

The packaging materials with cushioning performance are used to prevent the internal contents from being damaged by the impact and vibration of external forces. The polyurethane microcellular elastomers (PUMEs) can absorb energy through cell collapse and molecular chain creep. In this study, PUMEs with different densities were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis and dynamic compression tests. PUMEs exhibited significant impact resistance and the maximum peak stress attenuation ratio reached 73.33%. The protective equipment was made by PUME with the optimal density of 600 kg/m³, and then the acceleration sensing device installed with the same protective equipment fell from a height of 3, 5 and 10 m to evaluate the energy-absorbing property and reusability of PUMEs. The results showed that PUMEs equipment reduced the peak acceleration of the device by 93.84%, with a maximum deviation of 9% between actual test and simulation, and shortened the impact time of first landing by 57.39%. In addition, the equipment PUMEs equipment could effectively reduce the stress on the protected items.