Development of metallic closed cellular materials containing polymers

A closed cellular material containing polymers for intelligent materials has been developed. Polystyrene powder particles coated with a nickel–phosphorus alloy layer by electroless plating were sintered at high temperature. A metallic closed cellular material containing polystyrene was then fabricated. Scanning electron microscope indicated that polystyrene remains in the cells after heat treatment. The compressive tests of this material show a low Young’s modulus and high-energy absorption. These results indicate that this metallic closed cellular material can be used for the energy absorbing systems.