Effect of SiC particles on hot deformation behavior of closed-cell Al/SiCp composite foams

Abstract

Aluminum foams are one of the best energy absorber materials for various impact protection applications; such as lightweight structural panels, packing materials, and energy-absorbing devices. In the present study, the hot deformation behavior of closed-cell Al/SiCp composite foams was investigated at different contents of SiC particles (3, 6, and 10 vol%) and at various temperatures (100, 200, 300, and 400 °C). High-temperature uniaxial compression tests with constant 0.1 s−1 strain rate were carried out to get the fundamental stress–strain profiles. The results showed that the yield strength, plateau stress, and energy absorption of composite foams increase with increase in the SiC content and decrease with increase in the deformation temperature. Mechanical properties and electron microscope photographs demonstrated that increase in the SiC particle contents, as microstructural obstacles, resulted in cell’s walls reinforcement against the early failure especially at the higher temperatures.