Welding of metallic AlSi foams and AlSi–SiC composite foams

In this paper, possibilities as well as limitations of aluminium foam welding are defined, and current state of the art methods are presented. In the face of difficulty of achieving joints with TIG welding, the authors’ own innovative methods of preparation of aluminium and composite foams top layer are proposed in order for the foams to be TIG and laser beam welded. Filler consumption was estimated for different variants of edge preparation. Joint structure was examined and tensile strength of the joints was tested. Joints whose strength exceeded the strength of parent material were obtained.