LAUSR

Cell morphology and relative density (ρ rel ) are two crucial intrinsic parameters controlling the mechanical properties of metal foams (MFs) and directly depend on their structure (closed/open-cell) and composition (affecting processing parameters). Here, we report on compressive studies of MFs of aluminum (Al) and 7075-T6 alloy processed via a customized route at strain rate, έ = 0.002 and 2.0 s −1 . In both sets of MFs, the strength and apparent elastic modulus ( E ) monotonically increased with ρ rel at both έ. At έ = 2.0 s −1 , an increase in cell size ( C s ) enhanced the strength of both sets of MFs, while at έ = 0.002 s −1 , only the alloy foams showed strength increment. The densification strain (e d ) of Al foams at έ = 0.002 s −1 monotonically decreased with increasing ρ rel , whereas the alloy foams collapsed before the onset of densification. None of the MFs showed any particular trend of e d at έ = 2.0 s −1 . The studies conclude that the mechanical properties of MFs with similar morphology, foam parameters, and processing route depend on έ and C s . Absorption energy ( W ) and absorption efficiency ( I m ) of the two sets of MFs were also compared.