Deformation and energy absorption properties of A۳۵۶ aluminum matrix composite foam

Aluminum foams are used widely in the automotive and aerospace industries due to high strength to weight ratio and high energy absorption capacity. Knowledge of the mechanical behavior of these materials is thus necessary. This paper investigates the deformation and energy absorbing characteristics of A۳۵۶ aluminum matrix composite foam. For this purpose, Al/SiCp composite foam with density of ۰.۵۰ g/cm۳ was fabricated by means of melt-foaming process using CaCO۳ blowing agent. Conforming to ISO/DIS ۱۳۳۱۴ standard, compressive tests were carried out on samples separated from the foam product using a Zwick Z۲۵۰ universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of ۲ mm/min. Smooth stress – strain curves with a long plateau of stress were obtained, which represents the significant stability on compression. The compressive properties of the foam, as compressive strength, Young’s modulus, onset strain of densification, energy absorption efficiency and capacity were measured and evaluated. The deformation mode of Al foams was bending and buckling of cell walls and yielding of their struts. The energy absorption capacity of the foam obtained as ۱.۶۰ MJ/m۳, which represents about a ۴۰% increase compared to the results reported by previous researchers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Al/SiCp Composite foam ، compressive strength ، melt-foaming