An Investigation of the Strength Properties of Aluminium-Based Composite Foams Produced by Powder Metallurgy Method

In this research، aluminum foams reinforced by alumina and silicon carbide particles (5، 10 and 15%wt.) containing sodium chloride as the space-holder component were produced by powder metallurgy method. Strength properties of composite foams (yield strength and elastic modulus) were significantly increased compared with aluminum foams. The presence of ceramic particles within the foam cellular structure caused the compressive stress to be transferred into the ceramic particles and led to an improvement of the strength properties. The aluminum foams reinforced with 10%wt. silicon carbide among all the composite foam samples showed the best mechanical properties (i. e. the yield strength of 11. 85 MPa and the elastic modulus of 0. 617GPa).