Production of Aluminum Foams with Ni-coated TiH2 Powder

Aluminum foams with Ni-coated TiH2 powders were produced by an electroless coating technique producing uniform coatings disregarding particle shape and size. The results show that Ni-coating strength on TiH2 powders is able to withstand the powder mixing and compactation stages. Al foams produced from the passivated TiH2 show densities similar as those produced from the Ni-coated TiH2 at 300s. Foams from passivated TiH2 display densities from 0.75 to 0.80 cm-3, while foams produced from Ni coated and as-received TiH2 reach lower densities. Pore structures and maximum expansions are developed for as-received and passivated TiH2 condition between 480 and 495 s. The average area of pores is 60.6%, which is very similar to the foams produced with as-received TiH2.