Development of Aluminum Foams by Different Methods and Evaluation of its Density by Archimedes Principle

Abstract

Methods for producing metal foams are many, but obtaining repeatability in the properties is very difficult. The main challenge posed by the metal foam is that obtaining homogeneous porosity. Although lot of problems involved in the development of metal foams, research people are attracted to the metal foams because of its attractive properties like acoustic damping, bomb mitigation, light weight etc. By considering the development of Aluminum foams as important aspect, some methods have been adopted and attempts have been made to produce metal foams at lower cost. The methods developed for the Aluminum foams were Aluminum foam production using NaCl crystal as a place holder in the Al melt, Aluminum foam production using NaCl crystal as a place holder in sand salt mold, Aluminum foam production using NaCl crystal as a place holder by simultaneous pouring concept.The problems associated in each process and its effect on the density and porosity of the foam were discussed.