EFFECT OF FOAMING TECHNOLOGY ON THE POROUS STRUCTURE OF DEFORMED FOAM ALUMINUM BLANKS

The effect of foaming technology on the porous structure of deformed aluminum foam blanks was studied. The blanks were produced using powder technology. The manufacturing process included batch mixing, cold pressing in a closed die, hot extrusion and hot rolling. The resulting rods had a square cross-section of 2.5×2.5 mm. Foaming of the resulting blanks was achieved using three methods: TIG welding, direct current flow and a gas torch. After foaming, the structure of the samples was studied. It was found that the most uniform porous structure of the blanks was formed by heating by direct current flow; however, this method is technologically more complex. Heating with a gas torch is more practical and simpler.