Influence of ultrasonic treatment on the structure and properties of MgAl2O4 particle-stabilized aluminum foams

This study compared the foaming behavior of in-situ 6061-2MgAl2O4 composites processed by ultrasonic treatment and conventional route. Foaming of these composites was performed by melt route using TiH2 as blowing agent. Macrostructural characterization of the foams was performed by combining X-ray tomography and image analysis. The mechanical properties of the foams were extracted by conducting quasi-static compression tests. Foams produced using the ultrasonically-treated composite exhibited superior structure and microstructural strength, resulting in higher compressive strength and energy absorption than those produced using the composite processed by the conventional route.