Effect of decomposition properties of titanium hydride on the foaming process and pore structures of Al alloy melt foam

The Al alloy foam was prepared by melt foaming method with addition of titanium hydride as blowing agent. The effects of thermal decomposition properties of titanium hydride on Al alloy melt foaming behavior and pore structures were studied. The decomposition properties of titanium hydride powder were investigated by using temperature programmed decomposition (TPD) set-up. By separating and simulating the TPD spectrum of titanium hydride, a set of thermal decomposition kinetics equations of titanium hydride were acquired. Combining these equations with researches by using instant freezing method, scanning method and real-time method for measuring melt pore structure, the relationship between Al alloy melt foaming process and decomposition properties of titanium hydride was revealed, according to which the Al alloy foam with different pore structures were successfully prepared.