ALUMINUM FOAM

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ALUMINUM FOAM

• By GEORGE M. PENA
• For DR. LARRY PEEL
• MATERIAL SCIENCE MEEN 3344

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WHAT is FOAM ALUMINUM?
Foam Aluminum is a composite of high
controlled-cell porosity. It is a sandwich
structure offering energy absorption,
lightweight construction, and thermal
barrier insulation for many applications. (The
compacting of a powder mixture of metal and
foaming agent to high density and then heating
the compacted foam material to a temperature
near the metal melting piont.)
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APPLICATIONS

• APPLIED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE AUTOMOTIVE IDUSTRY
• Firewalls
• Kick up panels
  
• Floor panels
• Energy Absorbing Bumpers
• Door side impact bars
• Front crash rails
• Space frame components
• Roll bars
• APPLIED IN MILITARY NEEDS
• Lightweight armor
• Mine blast containment
• Water-tight doors on ships
• APPLIED FOR RAILROADS
• Locomotive collision posts/cages
• Crush buffer zones
• Side impact barriers (passenger cars)

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Advantages Floats in Water High
Specific Stiffness Mechanical Damping Sound
Insulator Excellent Energy Absorption Non-Flamma
ble (Easily processed by sawing, drilling, and
milling, and can be joined by adhesive bonding,
brazing, and TIG and laser welding techniques.)
Disadvantages Electrical and Thermal
conductivities of aluminum foam are reduced, but
still in the typical range of metallic
materials.
Strength and properties can be Tailored by
adjusting - Specific weight - Alloy
composition - Heat treatment - Morphology of pores
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References

• http//www.memagazine.org/backissues/january99/fea
  tures/foams/foams.html
• http//www.engr.siu.edu/staff2/abrate/composites/a
  lfoam.htm
• http//www.industrialheating.com/CDA/ArticleInform
  ation/coverstory/BNPCoverStoryItem/0,2830,12062,00
  .html