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Abstract:
In the present study samples of aluminium foams of open cell were obtained by the method of infiltration of molten metal in soluble NaCL perform with a grain size in the range of 0.85-1.7 mm. These samples were subsequently characterized structurally and mechanically. The foam samples were fabricated based on an experimental protocol of infiltration relatively easy to implement and replicate in the Metal Casting Laboratory at EPN. Regarding the structural characterization, parameters such as relative density, pore size, percentage of porosity and others were studied. All these parameters were analyzed statistically. Results suggest that the samples are not totally homogeneous, since in the majority there is a considerable standard deviation. The mean value of porosity in the samples analyzed was 85.5%, indicating the production of a highly porous foam. The presence of pores with sizes above the established range of NaCl grains (0.85-1.7 mm) could indicate particle sintering, probably due to some excess temperature in the process. With respect to the mechanical characterization, the compression test was performed on a representative sample, in which it is observed that the extended plateau area of the stress-strain curve presents a slight positive slope, characteristic of this type of materials, which may be the result of the constant deformation hardening of the foam. The values obtained from the calculation of the absorbed compressive energy, verify the high capacity of absorption of energy of deformation, in these materials.
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