Influence of Gravity and Mold Shape on Molding of Aluminum Foams

Abstract:

A molding process of aluminum foams by using a rotating mold is proposed in order to improve the mold filling and forming process for light-weight parts of vehicles. Aluminum powder mixed with a foaming agent is extruded into the mold through the die heated to a temperature higher than the melting point, and the mold is filled with the aluminum foam. When the diameter of a cylindrical mold is large, the influence of gravity is significant and the mold is not filled successfully. In the proposed molding, the aluminum foam is extruded into the rotating mold of large diameter and the volumetric ratio of foam to mold cavity is improved. However, the effect of the mold rotation on the mold filling is limited due to friction.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 875-877)
• Pages: 1280-1284
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.875-877.1280
• Online since: February 2014
• Authors: Masanori Shiomi, Tomohiro Fukaya
• Keywords: Aluminum Foam, Forming Limit, Gravity, Molding, Porous Metal

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DOI: 10.1016/b978-075067219-1/50001-5

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