A Dugdale-type cohesive zone model is used to predict the mode I crack growth resistance(R-curve) of metallic foams, with the fracture process characterised by an idealised tractionseparationlaw that relates the crack surface traction to crack opening displacement. A quadraticyield function, involving the von Mises effective stress and mean stress, is used to accountfor the plastic compressibility of metallic foams. Finite element calculations are performed forthe crack growth resistance under small scale yielding and small scale bridging in plane strain,with K-field boundary conditions. The following effects upon the fracture process are quantified:material hardening, bridging strength, T-stress (the non-singular stress acting parallel tothe crack plane), and the shape of yield surface. To study the failure behaviour and notchsensitivity of metallic foams in the presence of large scale yielding, a study is made for panelsembedded with either a centre-crack or an open hole and subjected to tensile stressing. Forthe centre-cracked panel, a transition crack size is predicted for which the fracture responseswitches from net section yielding to elastic-brittle fracture. Likewise, for a panel containinga centre-hole, a transition hole diameter exists for which the fracture response switches fromnet section yielding to a local maximum stress criterion at the edge of the hole.