Investigation of Bimodal Aluminium Matrix Syntactic Foams Filled with Ceramic Hollow Spheres

In this study bimodal A413 matrix syntactic foams filled with ceramic hollow spheres (CHSs) were produced and examined by computer tomography (CT) and quasi-static mechanical testing to determine the mixing properties of the hollow spheres and the strength of the metal foam. Two hollow spheres of different nominal diameters (d1 = 2.4 mm and d2 = 7.0 mm) were used in equal volume ratio. The produced metal foams have a density of 1.61±0.03 g/cm3, with smaller inclusions and some defective hollow spheres in the structure. The foams have an average compressive strength of 120 MPa and a specific mechanical energy absorbing capacity of 43.5 J/cm3. As a result of the upsetting tests, the matrix material is separated from the CHSs, breaking the connection between them