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

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.)

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)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Advantages Floats in Water High Specific Stiffness Mechanical Damping Sound Insulator Excellent Energy Absorption Non-Flammable (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

References http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/january99/features/foams/foams.html http://www.engr.siu.edu/staff2/abrate/composites/alfoam.htm http://www.industrialheating.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/coverstory/BNPCoverStoryItem/0,2830,12062,00.html