Powder Metal Al Foams: Production, Types and Usage Areas


TÜRKER M.

JOURNAL OF POLYTECHNIC-POLITEKNIK DERGISI, 2024 (ESCI) identifier

Abstract

Metallic foams, which have been extensively studied recently, are combinations of substances in gas and solid state with a porous structure of between 40% and 90%. Due to its low density and high energy absorption properties, it comes to the fore in the automotive industry, as well as in the space and defense industry. Metallic foams, which have unique properties, are materials with high strength, low thermal conductivity and high energy absorption capacity, despite their high porosity rate. Foam materials have become attractive to vehicle designers due to their lightness and energy absorbing properties, and they aim to minimize the damage that may occur in the vehicle during a collision. In addition, in today's world where energy and environment issues are important, reducing vehicle weight will reduce fuel consumption and increase efficiency while minimizing the damage to the environment. In this article, after giving general information about closed-pore Al-based metallic foam materials produced by the powder metallurgy method, detailed information is given about reinforced and unreinforced foam production, sandwich foam production, spherical foam production and metallic foam-filled profile production, which are special production methods. Additionally, general information is given about the construction of integral armor material, which is a new application, and other general applications.