The production of foamed aluminium has long been considered difficult to realize because of such problems as the low foamability of molten metal, the varying size of cellular structures, solidification shrinkage and so on. These problems, however, have gradually been solved by researchers and some manufactures are now producing foamed aluminium by their own method. The authors have been manufacturing foamed aluminium under the trade name ALPORAS since 1986 employing a batch casting process. This paper presents the manufacturing process, physical properties and some typical applications of ALPORAS. ALPORAS is an ultra-light material with a closed cell structure. To make aluminium foam from molten aluminium, it is necessary to stabilize bubbles in molten aluminium. The most important factor for stabilizing the bubbles in the molten aluminium is to increase its viscosity and prevent the bubbles from floating. It was used 1.5 wt-% Ca as thickening agent. The thickened aluminium alloy is poured into a casting mould and stirred with a blowing agent of 1.6 wt-% TiH2 at 680 deg C. The yield of hydrogen from the decomposing TiH2 depend on temperature. Two typical cell structures of two different cell sizes are demonstrated. Type (a) has a smaller cell size than type (b) that is a conventional ALPORAS for sound absorbent. The cell size of type (b) are distributed over arrange of 1 to 13 mm with a mean cell size of 4,5 mm. ALPORAS has a high impact absorbing function owing to its substantial deformation capability under low stress. It is used as an impact cushion for express rolling stocks and vehicles for saving drivers life in collisions.


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    Title :

    Aluminum foam, "ALPORAS": The production process, properties and applications


    Additional title:

    Schaumaluminium 'ALPORAS': Herstellungsprozess, Eigenschaften und Anwendung


    Contributors:
    Miyoshi, T. (author) / Itoh, M. (author) / Akiyama, S. (author) / Kitahara, A. (author)


    Publication date :

    1999


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 17 Bilder, 7 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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