Metal foams—High temperature colloids: Part II: In situ analysis of metal foams

In situ X-ray radioscopy on liquid metal foams was carried out to analyse the foaming process of various aluminium alloys. A variety of different precursors, two gas generation mechanisms and different foaming gases were studied. Duralcan composites with 20 vol.% SiC particles of 10 μm size were used for a detailed investigation of foam evolution. X-ray radioscopic image sequences were evaluated using a dedicated image analysis program. From the image data the sequence of foam evolution (formation, decay and solidification) could be derived. Time-dependent drainage profiles and the frequency of cell wall rupture events were calculated.