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Figure 2. 8. Typical cellular structure of Alporas foam.<br />

(Source : Miyoshi, et al. 1999)<br />

2.1.3. Gas Releasing Particle Decomposition in Semi-Solids<br />

(Fraunhofer and the Alulight Process)<br />

Gas releasing particle decomposition in semi-solid method is also known as<br />

foaming powder compacts process (Degischer 2002). The foaming process starting with<br />

a metal powder (typically Al and its alloys) and a foaming agent in powder form<br />

(typically TiH2 and ZrH2) was patented for the first time by Allen et. al. (Allen, et al.<br />

1963) in 1963. The process sequences are shown in Figure 2.9 and begin with mixing<br />

metal powder with a foaming agent. Titanium hydride is the most widely used<br />

blowing/foaming agent for Al foaming since its decomposition temperature (465 C) is<br />

near and lower than Al and Al alloy melting temperature range (550-650 C). Several<br />

different methodologies including the preheating Al and TiH2 mixture and Ni-coating of<br />

TiH2 were previously investigated to increase the decomposition temperature of TiH2 in<br />

order to prolong the foaming process duration(Proa-Flores and Drew 2008). The<br />

powder mixture is compacted to a density over 98%. Various mechanical forming<br />

processes including cold or hot uniaxial pressing, extrusion and rolling can be used to<br />

prepare dense powder compacts (foamable precursors) (Asavavisithchai and Kennedy<br />

2006).The lubrication of the pressing die and the use of double compaction were found<br />

to increase the powder compact foaming effectiveness (Bonaccorsi and Proverbio<br />

2006).<br />

12

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