Innovative Fabrication of Aluminum Alloy Foams

提出了通过新的加工工艺开发高质量泡沫铝的设想。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的动力学，从而更好地控制发泡。与此同时，将研究使用机械合金化和反应性等温凝固制造改性铝合金泡沫和加工路线的新方法，旨在提高工艺再现性和改善声学衰减和冲击吸收的性能。将使用各种技术，包括差示扫描量热法、X射线衍射、电子显微镜、X射线层析成像、声阻抗、振动试验和显微层析成像分析，对所生产的泡沫塑料的物理特性和宏观和微观结构特征进行评价。其主要目标是提高泡沫制造的再现性，使其在汽车和其他应用中更具吸引力和成本效益。为了实现这些目标，需要不同的学术和工业伙伴之间的合作，这将导致大量的HQP培训。此外，预计将开发一种生产泡沫铝的创新工艺，这不仅将使工业伙伴受益，也将使魁北克具有战略重要性的铝二次制造部门受益。

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.