Deformation and energy absorption properties of powder-metallurgy produced Al foams

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 528; no. 24; pp. 7222 - 7227
• Main Authors: Michailidis, N., Stergioudi, F., Tsouknidas, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15-09-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorption; Aluminum; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deformation; Deformation and plasticity (including yield, ductility, and superplasticity); Deformation, plasticity, and creep; Densification; Density; Electron microscopy; Energy absorption; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Materials synthesis; materials processing; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical characterization; Mechanical properties of solids; Physics; Plastic deformation; Pore size; Porosity; Porous materials; Porous materials; granular materials; Sintering; Specific materials; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; Plastic deformation; Mechanical characterization; Electron microscopy; Porous materials; Sintering; Deformation band; High density; Compressive testing; Powder metallurgy; Cell wall; Compression strength; Pore size; Powder technology; Friction; Energetic efficiency; Metal foam; Bending; Stress effects; Microstructure; Buckling; Tribology
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.05.031

► Porous Al fabricated via a dissolution and sintering method using raw cane sugar. ► Different deformation mode depending on the relative density of the foams. ► Enhanced energy absorption by reducing pore size and relative density of the foam. ► Pore size uniformity and sintering temperature affect energy absorption.
Al-foams with relative densities ranging from 0.30 to 0.60 and mean pore sizes of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.35
mm were manufactured by a powder metallurgy technology, based on raw cane sugar as a space-holder material. Compressive tests were carried out to investigate the deformation and energy absorbing characteristics and mechanisms of the produced Al-foams. The deformation mode of low density Al-foams is dominated by the bending and buckling of cell walls and the formation of macroscopic deformation bands whereas that of high density Al-foams is predominantly attributed to plastic yielding. The energy absorbing capacity of Al-foams rises for increased relative density and compressive strength. The sintering temperature of Al-foams having similar relative densities has a marked influence on both, energy absorbing efficiency and capacity. Pore size has a marginal effect on energy efficiency aside from Al-foams with mean pore size of 0.35 which exhibit enhanced energy absorption as a result of increased friction during deformation at lower strain levels.