Innovative Fabrication of Aluminum Alloy Foams

提出了通过新的加工工艺来开发质量更好的泡沫铝。采用化学镀技术的表面改性发泡剂的应用将用于改善气体释放动力学，从而更好地控制泡沫。同时，将研究利用机械合金化和反应等温凝固制备改性铝合金泡沫的新方法和加工路线，以提高工艺的可重复性和性能的改善，以减少声和冲击吸收。所生产的泡沫的物理性质和宏观和微观结构特征的评价将使用各种技术进行，包括差示扫描量热法、x射线衍射、电子显微镜、x射线断层扫描、声阻抗、振动测试和微断层扫描分析。主要目标是提高泡沫制造的可重复性，使其在汽车和其他应用中更具吸引力和成本效益。要实现这些目标，需要不同学术和行业伙伴之间的合作，这将导致HQP的大量培训。此外，预计将开发一种创新的泡沫铝生产工艺，这不仅将使工业合作伙伴受益，而且对魁北克具有战略重要性的铝二次制造业也将受益。

It is proposed to develop better-quality aluminum foams through new processing techniques. The application of surface modified foaming agents employing electroless plating techniques will be used to improve the kinetics of gas release leading to better foaming control. In parallel, new approaches to the fabrication of modified Al-alloys foams and processing routes using mechanical alloying and reactive isothermal solidification will be studied aiming to enhance the process reproducibility and property improvement for acoustic abatement and impact absorption. The evaluation of the physical properties and characterization of the macro- and micro-structural features of the foams produced will be carried out using a variety of techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, x-ray tomography, acoustical impedance, vibration tests and microtomography analyses. The main goal is to improve the reproducibility of foam fabrication to make them more attractive and cost-effective for automotive and other applications. To achieve the objectives involves collaboration between different academic and industry partners and this will lead to substantial training of HQP. In addition, it is expected that an innovative process for the production of Al-foams will be developed that will benefit, not only the industrial partner, but also the aluminum secondary manufacturing sector which is of strategic importance in Quebec.