Manufacture and Mechanical Properties of Metal Matrix Syntactic Foams, in

Metal matrix syntactic foams are a class of composite materials consisting of a continuous metal matrix embedded with hollow or porous ceramic particles. In comparison with metal foams, they have higher compressive yield strength and more homogeneous mechanical properties, although they usually have higher densities. Because of the existence of porosity, they also have the ability to absorb impact energy. They have the potential to serve as lightweight structures as energy absorbers against impact or as replacement bone implants. The paper introduces Al, Fe and Ti syntactic foams fabricated either by pressure melt infiltration or by powder metallurgy. Their microstructure and compressive behaviour are studied and the characteristics of the two manufacturing methods are compared