Processing and Properties of Steel Foam Sandwiches

Metallic foams have a combination of attractive properties such as high specific mechanical properties and good energy absorption characteristics. This paper presents the properties of steel foam sandwiches produced using powder metallurgy approach. Metallic powder, solid polymeric binder and a foaming agent are dry-mixed and molded into the desired shape. The molded powder mix is then heat-treated to foam, debind and sinter the material. The resulting material has an open cell structure with high porosity. The structure and properties of sandwiches specimens produced with the process are presented and discussed.