Influence of Core and Face Sheet Materials on Quasi-Static Mechanical Properties and Failure in Aluminium Foam Sandwich
✍ Scribed by D. Lehmhus; M. Busse; Y. Chen; H. Bomas; H.-W. Zoch
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2008
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 238 KB
- Volume
- 10
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1438-1656
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Metallic foams and specifically metal foam sandwich structures have been applied commercially for several years. [1][2][3] Nevertheless, among users and manufacturers of these materials alike, there is a consensus -and a concern -that reliable data on the mechanical performance are still lacking. This impression is not surprising given the fact that metal foam based materials and structures still see a considerable amount of change as basic materials, processing conditions etc. are being optimised. It is obvious that for a comparatively young class of materials, this process of constant evolution is much more dynamic than is the case for established solutions. Substantial improvement of properties is to be gained along these lines. However, a price is to be paid for this development, and that is that fixing a specific combination of matrix alloy, foaming agent, processing conditions etc. as a quasi-standard has been next to impossible over an extended period in time. This in turn means that any potential industrial user, when dimensioning metal foam products, is at best confronted with an unsatisfactory data basis and thus forced to observe large safety margins. Obviously, this means that the full potential of the materials cannot be exploited, a fact which turns into a competitive advantage for conventional materials.
The aim of the present investigation is to start changing this situation by initiating an in-depth characterisation of the mechanical response of a limited number of metal foam based materials. As starting point, aluminium foam sandwich (AFS) structures have been chosen. This type of material is well advanced in its development, with the basic patents having been issued as early as 1994. [4] It is already in series production, and it is offered commercially in specified grades by different companies. These grades describe geometrical aspects COMMUNICATIONS