Fabrication Methods and Properties of Open and Closed Cell Foams

In this paper we present some simple methods for the fabrication of closed and open cell Al metal foams. The closed cell Al metal foams were fabricated using liquid metallurgy. Their microstructure and morphological characteristics were studied using optical and electron microscopy techniques. The mechanical properties and their relationship to microstructure were established. A three dimensional model was developed relating the cell geometry to the mechanical behavior of Al closed cell foam material. The open cell Al foams were fabricated using sodium chloride powder sinters and liquid Al metal infiltration techniques. The potential of using these cellular structures in various systems is discussed.