Microstructure and Compressive Properties of Al/Al₂O₃ Syntactic Foams

Abstract:

Metal matrix syntactic foams with relativity low density (2.03 g/cm³) were prepared by stir casting method. The syntactic foam is comprised of alumina hollow spheres with a diameter range of 1.0-1.5 mm as reinforcement and ZL111 aluminum alloy as matrix. Calcium particles are used to increase the viscosity of the melt to ensure that low density hollow spheres are immersed in the melt. Microstructure characteristics and quasi-static compressive properties of syntactic foams were studied. The hollow spheres were uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix, and the interface between them was in continuous contact. Compressive stress-strain curve exhibits three distinct stages of deformation: (i) the linear elastic stage; (ii) the plateau area; (iii) final densification stage. The compression strength and plateau stress are 85 MPa and 75 MPa, respectively. The main reasons for the sample failure are the collapse of hollow spheres and the formation of multiple shear bands.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 933)
• Pages: 174-181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.933.174
• Online since: October 2018
• Authors: Ming Ming Su, Han Wang, Kai Yan Li, Hai Hao*
• Keywords: Compression, Microstructure, Stir Casting Method, Syntactic Foam

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