Aluminum foam
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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