Adaptation of aluminium foam properties by means of precipitation hardening

Aluminium foam samples based on four aluminium alloys were investigated with respect to their reaction to heat treatments, namely precipitation hardening treatments. Foam samples were produced according to the powder compact foaming or Fraunhofer process. 6000 and 7000 series alloys containing significant amounts of copper (6061, 7075) were compared to members of the same group with lower copper content (6082, 7020) as matrix alloys. Comparison was based on strength values and failure modes as reflected in the stress-strain curves obtained in quasi-static compression tests. Measurements were performed on samples without heat treatment and samples subjected to different precipitation hardening treatments. To evaluate the influence of quench sensitivity, the quench rate was varied for the alloys 6082 and 7020 by using air and water as quenchants. (C) 2002 IoM Communications Ltd.