한국주조공학회

Metal foam is one of the most interesting materials with various multi-functional properties such as light weight, energy absorption, high stiffness and damping capability. Among them, energy absorption property has keen interests in the field of automotives for passenger protection. Nowadays, researches about pore size and porosity control of the foam are increased to correspond them. However, though energy absorption properties are improved, these results are not cost-effective process. In present research, however, as a part of improving the energy absorption property of metallic foams, 606X aluminum alloy was used for cell wall material which has higher strength than pure aluminum. And its morphological features are characterized. As a results, porosity and pore size are uniformity distribution with increasing foaming temperature in the case of 6061 alloy foams. 6063 alloy foam specimens have opposite tendency because of the influence of alloying element and viscosity of the molten melt.

Aluminum alloy foam, Porosity, Foaming temperature, Direct casting method