Effect of SiC particle size on the mechanical properties of closed aluminum foams

Abstract

Abstract The main targets of this research are the synthesis of aluminum foams with micro- and nano-scale SiC reinforcements and the assessment of their mechanical properties and cellular structures. For this purpose, the equal weight percents of micro- and nano-SiC particles were added to premixed aluminum, TiH2 and Si powders. Then, the foaming process was applied under identical conditions for two nano and micro samples. Finally, uniaxial compression tests were carried out to survey the energy absorption of two nano and micro closed-cell foams. The obtained results indicated that the reinforced aluminum foam with nano-SiC particles exhibited compressive strength in the range of about 28 times higher than the micro-SiC foam. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy images revealed the reinforced aluminum foam with micro-SiC particles contained cellular structure with significant cell wall ruptures, while incorporation of nano-scale reinforcement improved the cell wall thickness uniformity without any considerable ruptures.