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Figure 2. 5 The preferred particle volume fraction and particle size for the stabilization<br />

of Al-SiC foam,(Source: Parkash et al. 1997).<br />

The production cost of foaming by gas injection into molten metal is relatively<br />

lower. The relative density of Al foams produced by this method ranges between 0.03<br />

and 0.1(Ashby, et al. 2000). The presence of hard particles in the metal matrix;<br />

however, makes these foams relatively brittle and reduces the machinability (Kavi<br />

2004).<br />

2.1.2. Gas Releasing Particle Decomposition in the Melts (Alporas<br />

Process)<br />

The foaming by gas releasing particle decomposition, also known as Alporas<br />

foaming process, comprises three sequential steps. These are thickening the molten<br />

metal, foaming the molten metal by adding TiH2 foaming agent and cooling the liquid<br />

foam ,Figure 2.6 (Degischer 2002). In the thickening, calcium (Ca) particles are added<br />

into molten Al at 680 C and the molten Al is aggressively stirred (T. Miyoshi 2000).<br />

The formation of calcium oxide (CaO) and calcium-Al oxide (CaAl2O4) thickens the<br />

liquid metal (Banhart 2000). The viscosity of liquid metal is a function stirring duration<br />

(Banhart 2000, Ma and Song 1998) and the molten metal viscosity increase up to five<br />

times is possible at longer stirring times as shown in Figure 2.7. The thickened liquid<br />

metal is then poured into a casting mold and stirred again with the addition of 1.6 wt%<br />

TiH2 at 680 C. The addition of TiH2 foaming agent releases hydrogen gas into the hot<br />

viscous liquid according to the following reaction:<br />

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