The structure and Acoustic Properties of Aluminum Foams by Gas Injection Method

The acoustic properties of aluminum foams by gas injection method were studied experimentally. The micro and macro structure of aluminum foam with closed cells were observed by optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The special structure of the closed-pores of the aluminum foams have leaded to good performance of the sound absorption based on three mechanisms: Helmholtz resonance, cell wall vibration and viscous and thermal effects. The effect of cell sizes, thickness of aluminum foams has been investigated and the cavity set at the back of the foam samples on the sound absorption efficiency of the foams has been measured. Analytical models of membrane vibrations were used to explain the sound absorption capacity of the foams.