Synthesis and characterization of 316L stainless steel foam made through two different removal process of space holder method

Abstract

Stainless steel foams were fabricated by evaporative and leachable space holder method. The results demonstrate that the cell walls are strong and interconnected; twin’s grains are visible in the cell wall surface in the evaporative process foam specimens. The cell structures and porosities have a significant effect on the mechanical properties. Calculated yield stress and energy absorption of the evaporative and leachable process are in the range of 43.2 to 6.92 & 29.1 to 3.96 MPa and 32.6 to 8.98 & 20.97 to 6.35 MJ/m3. The mechanical properties are higher in foams made by evaporative as compared to the leachable process.