Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Aluminum Foams Manufactured by Investment Casting Method

Abstract

A method for the open-cell aluminum foams manufacturing by investment casting was presented. Among mechanical properties, compressive behaviour was investigated. The thermal performance of the fabricated foams used as heat transfer enhancers in the heat accumulator based on phase change material (paraffin) was studied during charging-discharging working cycles in terms of temperature distribution. The influence of the foam on the thermal conductivity of the system was examined, revealing a two-fold increase in comparison to the pure PCM. The proposed castings were subjected to cyclic stresses during PCM’s subsequent contraction and expansion, while any casting defects present in the structure may deteriorate their durability. The manufactured heat transfers enhancers were found suitable for up to several dozen of cycles. The applied solution helped to facilitate the heat transfer resulting in more homogeneous temperature distribution and reduction of the charging period’s duration.