Microstructural and mechanical characterisation of reinforced aluminium foam sandwich panels made by one-step squeeze casting method

ABSTRACT In just one step, a squeeze casting process was applied to produce aluminium foam sandwich panels. NaCl particles with mean sizes of 4.75 and 6.35 mm were used as space holders in different proportions. In-situ face sheet manufacturing was conducted through previously placed steel meshes in the mould. The effect of NaCl particle sizes and the proportion of each size on porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated. Results showed a decline from 59.8% to 43.8% in the porosity amount of samples with increasing the proportion of larger NaCl particles. Accordingly, an increase in compression yield stress (from 3.2 to 6.1 kgf/mm2) and the absorbed energy were observed. Also, at the elevated densities of the sandwich panel core, the plateau stress was enhanced. The presence of Cu, Ni, Fe, and Si elements leads to the formation of brittle intermetallic compounds in the microstructure of cell walls.