Microstructure, strength and creep of aluminium-nickel open cell foam

• Published in: Philosophical magazine (Abingdon, England) Vol. 89; no. 13; pp. 1121 - 1139
• Main Authors: Diologent, F., Conde, Y., Goodall, R., Mortensen, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.05.2009; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: aluminium alloy; cellular metals; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; creep; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deformation, plasticity, and creep; Elasticity and anelasticity; Elasticity, elastic constants; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of solids; Physics; plastic deformation; Porous materials; granular materials; Specific materials; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; DNA replication; Nickel alloys; Creep; Variational methods; Compressive testing; Tensile tests; Mechanical properties; Tension compression fatigue test; Creep strength; Creep rate; Steady state; Aluminium alloys; Temperature effects; Ambient temperature; Creep testing; Eutectics; Metal foam; Stress effects; Microstructure; Cellular structure
• ISSN: 1478-6435; 1478-6443
• DOI: 10.1080/14786430902915396

Al-6.4 wt% Ni open-cell foams produced by replication are tested in compression and in tension at room temperature and creep tested in tension at 450°C. The mechanical behaviour of this foam at room temperature is consistent with that observed for other open-cell metallic foams. A strong dependence on relative density as well as dependence on stress and temperature of the steady-state creep rate are captured by the model described by Mueller et al. [Scripta Mater. 57 (2007) p.33], itself a simplification of variational estimates by Ponte Castañeda and Suquet [Adv. Appl. Mech. 34 (1998) p.171]. The foam exhibits two regimes of creep, separated by a critical stress; these features can be interpreted on the basis of the microstructure of the Al-6.4 wt% Ni alloy making the foam. This microcellular eutectic Al-Ni exhibits attractive creep failure resistance compared to other open-cell aluminium alloy foams.