How to Weld Metal Foam (Without Melting the Bubbles) (IMAGE)
Caption
Composite metal foams (CMFs) are foams that consist of hollow, metallic spheres – made of materials such as stainless steel or titanium – embedded in a metallic matrix made of steel, titanium, aluminum or other metallic alloys. The resulting material is both lightweight and remarkably strong, with potential applications ranging from aircraft wings to vehicle armor and body armor. In addition, CMF is better at insulating against high heat than conventional metals and alloys, such as steel. The combination of weight, strength and thermal insulation means that CMF also holds promise for use in storing and transporting nuclear material, hazardous materials, explosives and other heat-sensitive materials. But to realize many of these applications, manufacturers would need to weld multiple CMF components together. And traditional welding techniques melt the bubbles that make CMF desirable. Researchers have now shown that a technique called induction welding, that relies on electromagnetic fields, can weld CMFs without impairing the bubbles in the foam. This illustration shows how it works. Note that the CMF is cool enough to touch with your bare hand, only inches away from the site of the weld.
Credit
Afsaneh Rabiei, NC State University
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