Abstract: Based on a constructed anisotropic Kelvin model, an investigation into the elastic properties of open-cell foams was conducted under conditions of small elastic deformation. The influence of inclined struts on the elastic properties under axial, bending, and shear deformations as well as the impact of axial deformation of horizontal struts were considered comprehensively. By means of the minimum potential energy principle, the relationships between the elastic properties of the material and its anisotropic ratio and relative density were acquired. The results show that when the anisotropic ratio increases, relative elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio increase in the elongated direction but decrease in the perpendicular direction, and when the relative density increases in both directions the relative elastic modulus increases, but the trend of Poisson’s ratio is just the reverse. The predicted results accord well with experimental data and current G-K model, which proves the validity of the constructed anisotropic Kelvin model.

Key words: foams, anisotropy, Kelvin model, elastic properties