Assessment of the flow behavior and structural performance of open-cell aluminum foams at critical flow conditions of pressure and temperature

Abstract

Open-cell Al foams were produced by the replication casting technique in three different pore sizes. All produced foams were physically characterized, determining their relative density, porosity, and pores per inch, as well as their mean pore surface area and diameter. Permeability tests were carried out by means of the injection of a highly pressurized gasoline additive at room temperature and 200 °C, at pressures of up to 25,000 psi. The structural capacity of the studied specimens to conduct fluids at these critical experimental conditions was assessed by means of compression tests in order to determine their mechanical properties after the permeability tests, e.g., energy absorption capacity, Young’s modulus, and plateau stress. It was found that the produced open-cell Al foams were able of conducting the gasoline additive at critical flow conditions of pressure and temperature, without suffering important physical nor structural damage. Graphic abstract

X‐ray Tomography and Tomoscopy on Metals: A Review

“…[ 187 ] Close‐cell metal foams are produced following either the powder metallurgical route or the melt route, [ 186 ] while open‐cell foams are made by modifying close‐cell foam after foaming or by coating a polymeric precursor. [ 188 ] Using space holders [ 189 ] or replication [ 190 ] methods is another option to manufacture a more general class of cellular structures that differ from foams by their morphology. [ 185 ] In recent years, metal foaming technology has been commercialised on a small scale.…”