Title: Microstructural influence in closed cell aluminium foam for structural application

Authors: R. Edwin Raj, B.S.S. Daniel

Addresses: Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee – 247 667, India. ' Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee – 247 667, India

Abstract: Two sets of aluminium foams were made by degassing the calcium stabilised aluminium melt with titanium hydride. One set contained Al₂₀CaTi₂ and Al₂Cu dispersion in the cell wall matrix, whereas, the second set contained Al₁₃Fe₄ particles, along with the other intermetallics. The foam containing iron intermetallics as elongated platelets of higher aspect ratio showed excellent foam stability and higher plateau stress. However, there is a gradual decrease in stress levels in the plateau region during the compression test. This behaviour reduces the advantage of obtaining high energy absorption per unit volume.

Keywords: aluminium foam; blowing agent; energy absorption; mechanical properties; metallic foam; microstructure; titanium hydride; foam stability; plateau stress; structural applications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.031400

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.4, pp.476 - 486

Published online: 02 Feb 2010 *

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