Fabrication of Two-Layered Aluminum Foam with Closed-Cell and Open-Cell Structures and Shaping of Closed-Cell Layer by Press Forming Immediately after Foaming

Abstract

Two-layered aluminum foam consisting of both closed and open cells is expected to improve the functionality of aluminum foam, because the cells have different morphologies and characteristics. In this study, press forming of the closed-cell layer of the two-layered aluminum foam immediately after foaming was performed to shape the closed-cell layer. By measuring the temperatures of the two layers during foaming, we found that it is necessary to use aluminum alloy with a higher melting point for the open-cell layer than that for the closed-cell layer to foam the closed-cell layer. In the press forming experiments, the closed-cell layer could be shaped by press forming while the shape of the open-cell layer was maintained.