Abstract
Expanded glass particles (EGP) are used to manufacture Al syntactic foams using a simple vacuum casting method. Clamping of the casting in the stainless steel mold is observed when preheating the mold to >400 C, causing damage to the EGP, resulting in a weaker foam but with the significant advantage of eliminating the yield drop, improving the energy absorption characteristics. The same effect in castings that are not clamped (for mold preheats <400 °C) can be achieved by quenching in liquid nitrogen. These “low strength” syntactic metal foams are a cost‐effective alternative to metal foams and porous metals (in terms of specific strength, stiffness, and energy absorption) rather than “conventional” syntactic foams which contain smaller, stronger, hollow microspheres.
Highlights
Al syntactic foams are materials synthesised by incorporating hollow particles, often hollow microspheres typically made from glass, silicon carbide or aluminosilicates, into an Al matrix
The diameter of the mould cavity, at room temperature, is 34.6 mm, NaCl-containing castings are typically 34.5 mm in diameter, as are Expanded glass particles (EGP)-containing samples cast with a 300°C mould preheat
EGPcontaining samples cast with a mould preheated at 600°C, once they have been forcibly removed and have “sprungback”, are 34.9 mm in diameter, confirming the significant compressive strain to which the samples were subjected
Summary
Al syntactic foams are materials synthesised by incorporating hollow particles, often hollow microspheres typically made from glass, silicon carbide or aluminosilicates, into an Al matrix. [5,6,7] the crush strength may be 10 times that for an equivalent metal foam or porous metal, the rapid rise of stress with strain, which indicates the onset of densification, occurs at lower strains for syntactic foams, owing to their lower porosity. Syntactic foams of this type are far from ideal energy absorbers, with unwanted accelerations caused by the load drop and energy absorption efficiencies (the ratio of the energy absorbed to a given compressive strain to the theoretical maximum at that same strain) below 70%
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
