Thermomechanical Fatigue of Open-Cell Aluminium Sponge

While closed-cell metal foams have been intensively studied during the last ten years, only little attention has been put to the group of open-cell metal sponges. Due to their low density and good homogeneity metal sponges are promising candidates for structural and at the same time functional applications. For the successful design of new components using metal sponges a sound understanding of the behaviour under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions is required. The aim of the present study is to investigate the behaviour of the open-cell aluminium foam under this kind of loading conditions placing special attention to thermomechanical fatigue and creep characteristics.