Fabrication of Uniform and Rounded Closed-Cell Aluminum Foams Using Novel Foamable Precursor Particles (FPPs)

The powder metallurgy (PM) route for the production of closed-cell metallic foams has recently received a significant amount of attention. One of the major issues is the non-uniform and non-spherical nature of the cells produced, which can negatively affect the mechanical behavior. The current paper...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angela Mudge, K. Morsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Metals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/14/1/120
Description
Summary:The powder metallurgy (PM) route for the production of closed-cell metallic foams has recently received a significant amount of attention. One of the major issues is the non-uniform and non-spherical nature of the cells produced, which can negatively affect the mechanical behavior. The current paper uses the PM route to process metallic foams for the first time using novel Al-TiH<sub>2</sub> foamable precursor “particles” (FPPs). The effect of FPP content (0–10 wt.%) on the developed foam structure of aluminum and its mechanical properties is investigated. An increase in FPP content results in a decline in product density by forming uniform and near-spherical cells. The main advantage of the FPPs is the localization of the blowing agent TiH<sub>2</sub> particle content within Al-TiH<sub>2</sub> composite particles (i.e., giving rise to a higher local TiH<sub>2</sub> content), which has led to the production of pores with relatively high circularities even at very low overall TiH<sub>2</sub> contents. The foams produced displayed energy absorption capacities of 10–25 MJ/m<sup>3</sup> at 50% strain, and maximum energy absorption efficiencies ranging from 0.6–0.7 (for 40–60% closed cell content)
ISSN:2075-4701