Effect of Mn and Mg reinforcing particles on physico-mechanical behavior of close-cell Al metal foam for energy absorption material

Abstract

A solid substance encircled by a three-dimensional network of voids not interconnected with each other is referred to as close-cell metal foam. The work is based on enhancing mechanical properties of aluminum base close-cell metal foam through the addition of reinforcing particles in varying percentages. Closed-cell aluminum foams with the addition of Mn (0.5 wt.%) and Mg (0, 1, 1.5, 2) were successfully prepared by the melt route method. Al-based metal foam’s morphology and mechanical behavior were examined in order to understand the impact of reinforcing elements. From the current work, it is inferred that the addition of reinforcing elements initially helped to increase the compressive strength as found in Foam-1, but further addition of Mg did not have any beneficial effects. It was found that the value of compression strength depends on foam density. The addition of reinforcing elements increases the length of the plateau which in turn increases the value of energy absorption. It is found that proper bonding of reinforcing particles helps in improving energy absorption. From the evaluation, it was found that besides the increase in density and variations in pores uniformity, Al + Mn (0.5wt. %) + Mg (1.5wt. %) Foam (Foam-1) was found to be superior among all other foams. It can also be concluded that by fixing the percentage of Mn by 1 wt%, the best results can be obtained by addition of 1.5 wt. % Mg in the melt. Further addition of Mg shows a detrimental effect on mechanical and physical properties.