Structural and physico-mechanical characterization of closed-cell aluminum foams with different zinc additions

Abstract

Abstract Closed-cell aluminum foams with different percentages of zinc content were successfully prepared and investigated. The foamable precursors were prepared in a pit furnace by adding calcium as thickening agent, calcium carbonate as blowing agent and different percentages (0 wt.%, 0.5 wt.% and 1 wt.%) of zinc particles at 650–750°C. The distribution of Zn elements and quassi-static behavior of the foams at room temperature were investigated. The experimental results show that Zn element is uniformly distributed in cell wall matrix. The distribution of Zn elements had a significant effect on the quasi-static compressive behavior of aluminum foams; from the results, it is obvious that zinc-containing foams possessed higher compressive strength and energy absorption capacities than pure aluminum foams. Hence, it can be concluded that increase in percentage of Zn particles helps to increase the compressive strength, plateau region and energy absorption, in addition to providing better and uniform pores.