Difference between revisions of "Aluminum foam"

Latest revision as of 12:19, 7 February 2024

Aluminum foams
sold by McMaster-Carr

Formed aluminum foam from Wikipedia link

Description

Lightweight metallic sheets usually formed air or gas injected into the molten aluminum. Aluminum foams are very strong, nonflammable and eco-friendly. They have excellent impact absorption and are used for collision protection in transport systems; however, unlike polymer foams, when an impact happens, they remain deformed and can only be used once.

Foamed metals are available both in closed cell and open cell forms.

Open-celled metal foams are usually replicas produced using open-celled polyurethane foams as a skeleton
Closed-cell metal foams have been developed since the 1950s, but although prototypes were available, commercial production was started only in the 1990s. They made by injecting a gas into molten metal forming pores, or cells, about 1 to 8 mm in size.

Synonyms and Related Terms

foamed aluminum; metal sponge

Commercial products: Duocel

Applications

Sound and impact insulation
Architectural facades
Lightweight case construction
Heat exchangers

Physical and Chemical Properties

Lightweight with high strength to weight ratio
Density (relative to solid As) = 4-12% is most common
Compression strength = 367 psi (at 8% relative density)
Tensile strength = 180 psi (at 8% relative density)
Melting point = 1220f (660C)

Working Properties

Carbide- or diamond-tipped blades are required for machining
Joined by brazing, adhesive bonding, mechanical fasteners, or soldering

Forms and Sizes

Thicknesses from 1/2" to 2"
Sheets available 6'x6' or 12'x12' (McMaster-Carr)

Resources and Citations

Wikipedia: Metal foam Accessed Feb. 2024
American Elements: Foams
McMaster-Carr: Aluminum foam

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[File:Al foam formed.jpg|thumb|Formed aluminum foam from Wikipedia [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alv%C3%A9oles_4.jpg link]]]
 ==Description==
-Lightweight metallic sheets formed air injected into the molten material.  Aluminum foam is very strong, and eco-friendly.
+Lightweight metallic sheets usually formed air or gas injected into the molten aluminum.  Aluminum foams are very strong, nonflammable and eco-friendly. They have excellent impact absorption and are used for collision protection in transport systems; however, unlike polymer foams, when an impact happens, they remain deformed and can only be used once.
+Foamed metals are available both in closed cell and open cell forms.
+* Open-celled metal foams are usually replicas produced using open-celled polyurethane foams as a skeleton
+* Closed-cell metal foams have been developed since the 1950s, but although prototypes were available, commercial production was started only in the 1990s. They made by injecting a gas into molten metal forming pores, or cells, about 1 to 8 mm in size.
 == Synonyms and Related Terms ==
+foamed aluminum; metal sponge
+Commercial products: [https://ergaerospace.com/aluminum-foam-cell-structure-material/ Duocel]
 ==Applications==
-* Sound insulation
+* Sound and impact insulation
 * Architectural facades
 * Lightweight case construction
+* Heat exchangers
+==Physical and Chemical Properties==
+* Lightweight with high strength to weight ratio
+* Density (relative to solid As) = 4-12% is most common
+* Compression strength = 367 psi (at 8% relative density)
+* Tensile strength = 180 psi (at 8% relative density)
+* Melting point = 1220f (660C)
 ==Working Properties==
+* Carbide- or diamond-tipped blades are required for machining
+* Joined by brazing, adhesive bonding, mechanical fasteners, or soldering
 ==Forms and Sizes==
@@ Line 18: / Line 35: @@
 ==Resources and Citations==
+* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_foam# Metal foam]  Accessed Feb. 2024
+* American Elements: [https://www.americanelements.com/foams.html Foams]
 * McMaster-Carr: [https://www.mcmaster.com/products/foam-core-boards/lightweight-aluminum-foam/ Aluminum foam]
 [[Category:Materials database]] [[Category:MWG]]