Role of fine size zircon sand ceramic particle on controlling the cell morphology of aluminum composite foams

• In the present work, role of fine size zircon sand particle on controlling the cell morphology of LM13 alloy composite foams has been studied.
• Composite foam was developed by stir casting route at different temperatures.
• Variation in microstructures of the composite foam is observed with the addition of zircon particles at varying foaming temperatures.
• The cell morphology parameters such as cell size, node and ligament length increases with increasing foaming temperature.
• The addition of zircon sand ceramic particles leads to decrement in the ligament length with increasing foaming temperature.

Composite foams exhibit unique properties such as light weight, blast palliation, sound absorption, high energy absorption, and flame resistance. In the present investigation, role of fine size zircon sand ceramic particle on controlling the cell morphology of LM13 alloy composite foams has been studied. For this purpose LM13 piston alloy of near eutectic composition is used as foaming matrix material and zircon sand ceramic particles as reinforcement. Composite foam was developed by stir casting route at different temperatures. Variation in microstructures of the composite foam is observed with the addition of zircon sand ceramic particles and also with varying foaming temperatures. The results show that the cell morphology parameters such as cell size, node and ligament length increases with increasing foaming temperature. However, the addition of zircon sand ceramic particles leads to decrement in the ligament length with increasing foaming temperature.