Metal foams for structural applications: design and manufacturing

Abstract

In this paper, the design and manufacture of metal foams, using the powders compact melting method (PCMM), is investigated. Experimental tests were performed to study the influence of several process parameters, that is, compaction pressure, foaming time, temperature and amount of foamable precursor material, on the kinetics of foaming process. As the large number of experimental factors involved in metal foams manufacturing, an experimental approach based upon DOE techniques was employed to reduce the trials need for individuating the best process windows. Hence, in such operative ranges, further experimental tests were carried out to trace the full trends of foaming efficiency according to leading parameters, thereby laying the basis to support manufacturers on how to deal with the operative troubles and process settings.

Keywords:

• Aluminium
• Foaming
• Process parameters

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge Mr Daniele Ceccarelli for his stimulating insights and useful suggestions during the development of experimental apparatus.