The Effect of Aging on Energy Absorption Capability of Closed Cell Aluminum Foam

Abstract

The role of cell wall microstructure in influencing the mechanical behaviour of closed cell aluminium foam was investigated. The morphologies of the cell wall were characterized by using optical microscopy. An attempt has been made to describe the relationship between the microstructure of cell wall and mechanical properties primarily pertaining to the compressive response. The closed-cell foams in as-foamed and aged condition, having rather similar relative densities and cell structures but significantly different cell-wall microstructure have been examined. It was found that in as foam condition thick dendritic structure is present. On ageing at different temperatures for different duration, it was found that as ageing progresses the dendritic structure break in to finer precipitates resulting in improvement in microstructure of the cell wall. The compression tests also affirm the microstructural contribution to energy absorption capability.