Enhancement of the mechanical strength of aluminum foams by SiC nanoparticles

1vol% SiC nanoparticle reinforced aluminum (nano-SiCp/Al) composite foams and pure Al foams were manufactured by powder metallurgy with foaming agent CaCO3 in order to explore the effects of nanoparticles. The microstructure, compressive property and energy absorption of these foam materials were investigated. The microstructural characterization indicates that after adding the nanoparticles, the average pore diameter changes from millimeter to micrometer, meanwhile the average cell size decreases by 50.4%. It is found from the compressive experiments that under similar porosities, the addition of 1vol% SiC nanoparticles induces a significant improvement of 194.5% in yield stress and 69.4% in energy absorption capacity compared with the pure Al foams. The comparative research reveals that a small addition of nanoparticles can not only improve the foam structure, but also significantly strengthen the metal and enhance energy absorption. •Nanoparticles reinforced Al composite foams have not been reported.•Nanoparticles can refine pore diameter and homogenize pore structure.•SiCP/Al nanocomposite foams are of high performance on compression and energy absorption.