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08.09.2006: Foam metals |
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| In
the last years there is an increasing demand on light design,
especially in order to reduce energy consumption which is caused by the
acceleration of a mechanic system. Sudden movements without appreciable
inertia are required in a lot of applications. However, only design
measures cannot make the full contribution to the weight reduction,
because there are practical values of the minimum stability, which have
to be met. Also using alternative materials like Magnesium alloys, Ti,
TiAl etc. is restricted by difficult treatment and high costs.
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| Now a new powder metallurgical production method allows
practical use of so called foam metals, it can be applied for example
to Cu, Ni, Ti, MO and W and other materials, including alloys. By
“introducing” homogenous cell pores with a size between 0.8 and 4.5 mm
the density can be decreased much lower than the value of the basic
material, densities as low as 0.25 to 1.0 g/cm³ are feasible. The
results show a high reproducibility, furthermore the thermal and
chemical resistance is very good. The hardness can be optimized by
thermal treatment, anisotropical properties also can be reached.
Mechanical damping elements, electrodes in galvanic engineering, in
chemical sources of current, fuel cells, heating elements and cooling
designs of reduced weight in laser equipment or power electronics are
typical applications of foam metals of high porosity. The large
enhanced surface also makes the materials suitable for liquid, gas and
melt filters, as supporters of catalysts and for heat exchanger
elements. |
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