In this study, the foaming behavior of metal matrix composites (MMCs) containing micron- and nano-sized TiB2 particles was compared. Foaming was achieved by adding blowing agent into the MMC melt at 670&nbsp;°C. Macrostructural and microstructural characterization of the foams were performed by using X-ray tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Quasi-static compression tests were conducted to analyze the mechanical behavior of the foams. Foams stabilized by nanoparticles showed higher expansion than those stabilized by micron-sized particles indicating a better stabilization by nanoparticles. The foams containing nanoparticles also exhibited better mechanical properties. This is mainly due to the presence of nanoparticles in the microstructure. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Manas Mukherjee

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Santhoshkumar Bhogi

J. Nampoothiri

K.R. Ravi

Blowing agents

Composite materials

Compression testing

Mechanical properties

Nanoparticles

Porous materials

Scanning electron microscopy

Stabilization

Tomography

FOAMING BEHAVIOR

Mechanical behavior

Mechanical characterizations

Micro-structural characterization

MICRON-SIZED PARTICLES

NANO- AND MICRO-PARTICLES

QUASI-STATIC COMPRESSION

X-ray tomography

Metallic matrix composites

IIT Madras is a public technical and research university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1959, it is recognised as an Institute of National Importance.

IIT Madras has been ranked as the top engineering institute in India for four years in a row by the National Institutional Ranking Framework of the MHRD

It currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees across 16 disciplines in Engineering, Sciences, Humanities and Management. About 596 faculty belonging to science and engineering departments and centres of the Institute are engaged in teaching, research and industrial consultancy.

IIT Madras

Materials Science and Engineering A

Abstract: Aluminium and Al-TiB2 closed-cell foams were produced by a recently developed foaming method called melt injection technique where bubbles are created by air entrainment. The macro- and microstructures of the foams were characterised by X-ray tomography and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Mechanical properties were evaluated by quasi-static compression tests. Al-TiB2 foam exhibited finer cells and better mechanical properties compared to Al foam. Also, the structural and mechanical properties of these foams were compared with closed-cell foams produced by other existing methods. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2019, The Indian Institute of Metals - IIM.

Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals

Al and Al-TiB2 Foams Produced by Melt Injection Technique

Foaming behavior of Al-Mg alloy melts with and without a thickening step was studied. Stable foams were obtained in both the cases. Oxides formed in Al-Mg melts were studied using XRD, SEM and TEM. These studies revealed the formation of MgAl2O4, MgO and transition oxides in Al-Mg melts. The stabilization of Al-Mg foams was attributed to the formation of MgAl2O4 and transition oxides. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Materials Letters

Foam stabilization by magnesium

A357 (Al–7Si–0.6Mg)-xTiB2 (x = 5, 10 wt.%) in-situ composites processed by the salt-melt reaction method were successfully foamed by melt processing with the addition of heat treated TiH2 as blowing agent. Holding time was varied in order to identify critical holding time beyond which cell wall collapse and drainage dominate. X-ray tomography was employed to characterize the geometric structure of cells. Cell structure with high degree of uniformity evolved in 5TiB2 composite foams compared with 10TiB2 composite foams for a given holding time. 5TiB2 composite foams showed better expansion compared to 10TiB2 composite foams. However, the number of cell wall remnants (defects) was more for highly expanded 5TiB2 composite foams. TiB2 particles present in the foam promoted foam stability. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Materials and Design

Processing and characterization of in-situ TiB2 stabilized closed cell aluminium alloy composite foams

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Post in-situ reaction ultrasonic treatment for generation of Al–4.4Cu/TiB2 nanocomposite: A route to enhance the strength of metal matrix nanocomposites

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Significant improvement in structural features, mechanical and physical properties of a novel CAR processed Al foam by nano-SiC p addition

Materials & Design

Influence of nano-SiCp on the foamability and microstructure of Al/TiH2 foam sheet manufactured by continual annealing and roll-bonding process

Materials

Commercial Applications of Metal Foams: Their Properties and Production

Influence of nano and micro particles on the expansion and mechanical properties of aluminum foams

Journal	Data powered by TypesetMaterials Science and Engineering A
Publisher	Data powered by TypesetElsevier Ltd
Open Access	No