Computer tomography based reconstruction of metal matrix syntactic foams

Abstract

In order to create 3D (three-dimensional) Keywords syntactic foam · CT based reconstruction IntroductionThe metallic foams have a special class which satisfies the definition of particle reinforced metal matrix composites also. These are the metal matrix syntactic foams. The metal matrix syntactic foams have numerous perspective applications as covers, hulls, castings, or in automotive and electromechanical industry sectors because of their high energy absorbing and damping capability. In these porous materials the porosity is ensured by incorporating ceramic hollow microspheres [1]. The microspheres are commercially available and they contain mainly various oxide ceramics [2,3].The most important properties of the metal matrix syntactic foams are the compressive strength and the absorbed energy [4][5][6][7][8][9][10].The quality and chemical composition of the microspheres influence many properties of the syntactic foams. And they have also strong influence during the production of the syntactic foams. The foams are usually produced by mixing technique and gravitational casting or by pressure infiltration [11][12][13].Because of the strong effect of the quality of the microspheres (diameter of ~ 0.1-3 mm) on the mechanical and other properties of the foams the investigation of the structure of the syntactic foams is very important. In order to create real 3D models from the syntactic foams the CT-based reconstruction methods can be applicable. CT-based reconstruction methods are used successfully in many different materials research fields as for example porous polymeric materials (foams) [14], open celled and closed-cell metallic foams [15][16]. Recently the X-ray computed microtomography has been applied on porous fuel cell materials [17] and soil samples [18]. The history, the production, the geometrical, mechanical, thermal properties the dynamical behaviour and the fatigue processes of hollow spheres were studied in details [19].Structural characterisation and morphology of metal foams were studied with models reconstructed from CT images [20]. In order to apply the CT-images for the reconstruction of the syntactic foams a new algorithm is shown in this work.

On the Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Matrix Syntactic Foams

“…The obtained values were compared to results from other theories and experimentals taken from the literature. [99] Recently, Szlancsik et al have made efforts to measure the effective Young's modulus of MMSFs by modal analysis. These interfaces are usually weak, but their effect on the elastic properties cannot be totally neglected.…”

Compressive behaviour of aluminium matrix syntactic foams reinforced by iron hollow spheres

“…The reconstruction of the structure is often supported by X-ray tomography [55][56][57][58][59][60] and relies on analytical approaches (for example by Zsoldos et al [61]). Bardella and Genna published papers on the determination of the elastic properties of syntactic foams [62][63][64].…”

Global Approach of Tribomechanical Development of Hybrid Aluminium Matrix Syntactic Foams

“…All of the above mentioned researches confirm that MMSFs can be produced with various matrix materials and hollow spheres and their compressive properties can be tailored to the requirements of the desired structural parts. Besides the constituents, the microstructure (detailed in [28]) and the macrostructure [29] have decisive effect on the mechanical properties. For the investigation of the applicability of MMSFs for sliding machine parts (like bearings, pistons or cylinder bores), their tribological properties should be properly investigated, and furthermore it would be important to see the connections of mechanical properties to tribological behaviour as well.…”