Production Methods for Metallic Foams

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe possibilities for making metallic foams or similar porous metal structures are reviewed. The various processes are classified according to the state of the starting metal - liquid, powdered, ionised. Liquid metal can be foamed directly by injecting gas, gas-releasing foaming agents or by producing supersaturated metal-gas solutions. Indirect methods include investment casting and usage of filler materials. Metal powders can also be used as starting materials for metallic foams: mixtures of such powders with foaming agents are compacted to foamable precursor materials that can be foamed in a second step. Instead of foaming agents inert gas can be directly entrapped in the precursor. Metal foams can also be made from metal powder slurries or by using polymer/powder mixtures. Finally, galvanic electro-deposition also allows to make highly porous metallic structures with open pores.