SiC-particulate aluminum composite foams produced by powder compacts: Foaming and compression behavior

The foaming behavior of SiC-particulate (8.6% by volume) aluminum composite powder compacts contained Titanium Hydride blowing agent was investigated by heating above the melting temperature (750degreesC) in a pre-heated furnace. Aluminum powder compacts were also prepared and foamed using similar compaction and foaming parameters in order to determine the effect of SiC-particulate addition on foaming and compression behavior. The linear expansions of the compacts at various furnace holding times were ex situ determined. Optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize prepared and deformed foams microstructures. The SiC-particulate addition was found to increase the linear expansion and reduce the extent of the liquid metal drainage and cell coarsening of the aluminum compacts. The composite foam samples also showed higher compressive stresses, but a more brittle behavior as compared with aluminum foams. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.