Strain rate sensitivity and energy absorption of Zn–22Al foams

This is the first article on closed-cell Zn–22 mass%Al eutectoid alloy foams manufactured by the powder metallurgical process. Solution treatment followed by quenching causes microstructural change in the cell walls to fine equiaxial grains. The heat treated Zn–22Al foams show ductile compressive deformation at room temperature. The strain rate sensitivity exponent and absorbed energy of the Zn–22Al foams are much larger than those of the conventional aluminum foams. This may be due to superplastic deformation of the cell walls.