Foamed or cellular metals prodn - from aluminium using titanium hydride, and reinforced with steel inclusions

摘要

The metal which is to be converted into a foam is mixed with inclusions possessing a higher m.pt. than the metal and with a gas-forming material, the three materials being mixed in =1 inclined rotary drum provided with an opening at both ends; the three materials are fed in at the upper end of the drum and leave via the lower end. The pref. metal is aluminium with steel inclusions forming up to 35% of the finished product, and using a metal hydride as the gas-forming material. A second, pre-heating drum may be used to obtain molten metal at a temp. below the decompsn. pt. of the hydride so the particles of the latter are coated with metal before entering the drum. A high proportion of inclusions, e.g. steel fibres, can be included in the foam, thus increasing the strength and reducing the brittleness.