COMPUTATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SCANNED ALUMINUM FOAMS FOR VIRTUAL TESTING
M. Borovinšek, M. Vesenjak, M. Jože, Z. Ren
Abstract
A procedure for analysis of geometrical features of real metallic open-cell foams using
computer tomography and additional image processing is presented. Obtained threedimensional
computer foam model was used for geometrical and structural analysis of the
aluminum foam sample. Measurements of foam geometrical features show that its structure
significantly differs from the theoretical equilibrium models used in research of liquid foams
(soap froth), since solid foams have richer and more diverse distribution of basic cell building
blocks. Those findings are also supported by performed computational simulations which were
used to analyze the effect of measured cell elongation on the mechanical properties of the foam.
Considerable effect on mechanical properties was observed, which suggests that more realistic
foam models have to be used to improve the understanding of foam structure effects on their
macroscopic properties.
