Compressive strength modeling and validation of cenosphere-reinforced aluminum–magnesium-matrix-based syntactic foams

Abstract

Al–Mg-matrix-based syntactic foams were manufactured using stir-casting methods. The concentration of Mg in the Al–Mg matrix and the matrix hardness and lattice parameters decreased with increasing cenosphere volume fraction. The lattice parameters were calculated using field-emission electron probe microanalysis (FE-EPMA) and Redlich–Kister polynomials, and high-resolution X-ray diffraction was conducted to determine the changes in the matrix mechanical properties. A prediction model was proposed to estimate the foam compressive strengths under quasistatic conditions, demonstrating better agreement with the experimental data than previous models.