The Influence of Titanium Hydride Pretreatment on the Compressive Properties of Aluminum Foam

Macrostructure has an important effect on the compressive properties of closed-cell aluminum foams. Meanwhile, the decomposition behavior of a foaming agent has a significant influence on the macrostructure of closed-cell aluminum foams. In order to get optimal compressive properties on aluminum foams, it is important to obtain the optimal decomposition behavior of a foaming agent. In this paper, different heat treatment temperatures and fixed heat treatment were employed to investigate the decomposition behavior of titanium hydride. For a more intuitive understanding of their decomposition characteristics of the pretreated titanium hydrides, closed-cell commercially pure Al foams were prepared by melt foaming method using different types of pretreated titanium hydrides as foaming agent. In addition, the macrostructures and quasi-static compressive properties were used to evaluate the pretreatment effect. The results showed that pretreatments have a significant influence on the macrostructure and compressive properties of aluminum foams. The decomposition characteristics of titanium hydride pretreated at 753 K for 30 min are most suitable for the preparation of closed-cell aluminum foams under present conditions, as the foams possess good combination of pore size distribution, yield strength and energy absorption capacity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.20.4.6082