Design, fabrication and operation of a device for manufacturing metal foams and composites by infiltration

Abstract This work presents the design and fabrication of a simple device for manufacturing metal foams composites using infiltration. The particularities operation this are also included here, detailing examples materials manufactured it. was thought to produce matrices from low medium melting points (e.g., Mg Cu alloys), limited ~1200 °C. It can be used samples large enough their study characterization, being cheaper than other devices reported in literature. Foams different sizes depending on dimensions device, which modified according necessities. As examples, cylindrical (10 cm height 5 diameter) were infiltrating Al alloys NaCl, NaCl-Al 2 O 3 spheres mixture, iron hollow spheres, respectively conventional, composite syntactic foams. These analyzed through Optical Scanning Electron Microscopies (OM SEM, respectively), compression tests. Their densities porosities measured. analysis obtained revealed that following correct experimental conditions, without defects device. Different porosity reinforcement percentages under these with expected mechanical behaviors such materials.