Metallurgical Abstracts on Light Metals and Alloys vol.54

Roll forming of aluminum foam immediately after precursor foaming

Yoshihiko HANGAI*, Kodai SUZUKI*, Masataka OHASHI*, Hironao MITSUGI* and Kenji AMAGAI*

*Faculty of Science and Technology, Gunma University

[Published in Results in Engineering, Vol. 10 (2021), 100224]

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100224
E-mail: hanhan[at]gunma-u.ac.jp
Key Words：Cellular materials, Roll forming, X-ray computed tomography (CT), Optical heating

Precursor foaming is a process of manufacturing aluminum foam parts. A rapid shaping process such as plastic forming is required for mass production. In this study, the roll forming of softened aluminum foam was conducted immediately after precursor foaming before the foamed aluminum solidified. It was shown that flat aluminum foam of uniform thickness with pore structures similar to those produced by free foaming can be obtained.

(a) Photograph of precursor used. (b) Setup of precursor for roll forming. (c), (d) Precursor foaming. (e)-(g) Roll forming of softened aluminum foam immediately after precursor foaming.