Functional and Structural Characteristics of Metallic Foams Produced by the SlipReactionFoamSintering (SRFS)-Process

Highly porous open- cell materials on the base of various metals and alloys are of increasing interest as they combine structural and functional properties. There is a wide range of possible applications for such materials, e.g. as heat exchangers, filters or catalysts. A new and promising method to produce open- cell metallic foams on base of iron powder, low and high alloyed steel powders as well as nickel alloy powder is the SlipReactionFoamSintering (SRFS)- process. In comparison to other production processes of metallic foams, the SRFS- process provides several advantages: foaming at room temperature, allowing a very good process control by various parameters, foams of a great variety of metals are possible and a broad spectrum of properties is achievable.