Mechanical behavior of PCMT and SDP Al foams: A comparison

n this paper Powder Compact Melting Technique (PCMT) and Sintering and Dissolution Process (SDP) are compared and discussed. In the first process melting of the powders is required for the foam production. Mechanical characterization of Al foams produced with the two techniques has been performed by means of static compressive tests in order to make a direct comparison. The PCMT foams show higher mechanical properties in compressive tests if compared to the SDP foams and are ideal for structural applications in which energy absorption is the main task. When the control of the morphology as well functional properties (e.g. noise and vibration absorption) related to the interconnected porosity are fundamental, SDP foams are to be preferred.