Obtención y caracterización de espumas metálicas de aluminio funcionalmente graduadas mediante el método de infiltración en preformas solubles y su aplicación en elementos de deformación programada.

Abstract

This work was carried out under an experimental protocol for obtaining aluminum metal foams with a varied porosity. The protocol was based on the method of infiltration into water soluble preforms; sodium oxide was used as preform material, with sizes of 3, 5 and 7 mm, respectively, which were placed in pyramid form. A metallographic analysis was performed to know the most relevant properties of metal foams such as relative density, porosity, ligament thickness. Result of this analysis was obtained on average a relative density of the foams of 0.49 and a percentage of porosity on average of 51%, to know the thickness of ligament was used the computer program Image J, and obtained a thickness of 0.94, 1.5 and 1.8 mm approximately for the pore diameters of 3, 5 and 7 mm respectively. As part of this research, quasi-static compression test was performed to obtain the absorbed energy by integrating the area under the stress-strain curve. To complete the mechanical test, the dynamic compression test was carried out by means of the frontal impact of a pendulum designed for automotive applications, in order to measure the absorption capacity and percentage of deformation. These results were then compared with those of the uniaxial compression trial. Finally, the result of the comparison shows the great absorption capacity of deformation energy in this type of foams and its functionality in programmed deformation elements.