Closed cell metal foam method

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863129

Patten, James W ^[1]

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1. Kennewick, WA

Foamed metals and metal alloys which have a closed cellular structure are prepared by heating a metal body containing entrapped inert gas uniformly distributed throughout to a temperature above the melting point of the metal and maintaining the body at this temperature a period of time sufficient to permit the entrapped gas to expand, forming individual cells within the molten metal, thus expanding and foaming the molten metal. After cell formation has reached the desired amount, the foamed molten metal body is cooled to below the melting temperature of the metal. The void area or density of the foamed metal is controlled by predetermining the amount of inert gas entrapped in the metal body and by the period of time the metal body is maintained in the molten state. This method is useful for preparing foamed metals and metal alloys from any metal or other material of which a body containing entrapped inert gas can be prepared.

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4099961
• OSTI ID: 863129
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

closed
cell
metal
foam
method
foamed
metals
alloys
cellular
structure
prepared
heating
containing
entrapped
inert
gas
uniformly
distributed
throughout
temperature
melting
maintaining
period
time
sufficient
permit
expand
forming
individual
cells
molten
expanding
foaming
formation
reached
desired
amount
cooled
below
void
density
controlled
predetermining
maintained
useful
preparing
material
uniformly distribute
closed cell
metal foam
individual cells
melting temperature
time sufficient
molten metal
inert gas
metal alloy
uniformly distributed
metal alloys
distributed throughout
individual cell
desired amount
trapped gas
containing entrapped
cell metal
gas entrapped
gas uniformly
cellular structure
/75/204/428/