Producing metal matrix syntactic foams by pressure infiltration

Abstract

This paper presents the possibility of syntactic foam production by pressure infiltration technology. Syntactic foams have low density and relatively high strength. Therefore they can be the material of many important parts in automotive technology or in aviation. The parameters of infiltration were studied and physical and mechanical investigations were performed. Microscopic investigations showed almost perfect infiltration at the applied infiltration pressure. The densities of the foams were significantly decreased. Low density ensures good specific properties and economical energy consuming in the case of moving the parts. Syntactic foams showed a plateau region in their upsetting diagrams and absorbed a high energy during upsetting. The effect of aspect ratio was also investigated. Specimens with higher aspect ratios showed lower peak stress, lower plateau level and higher modulus of elasticity.