The microstructure and compressive properties of aluminum alloy (A356) foams with different Al-Ti-B additions

Abstract

Closed-cell aluminum alloy (A356) foams with different percentages of Al-Ti-B are prepared by melt foaming method, using Ca and TiH2 as thickening agent and foaming agent, respectively. SEM and Quasi-static compression tests are performed to investigate the effect of Al-Ti-B on the microstructure and compressive properties of aluminum alloy (A356) foams. The results show that foams with Al-Ti-B percentage of 0.3 wt.% possess good combinations of micro hardness, yield strength, plateau strength, densification strain and energy absorption capacity under the present conditions. The reasons are mainly due to the foams with Al-Ti-B percentage of 0.3 wt.% possess optimal eutectic Si morphology (with eutectic Si existing in the forms of particles or short fiber).