Patent ID: 9650696
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: B22C,B22D,C22C

Claim:
1. A method for manufacturing an aluminium alloy foam having open cells with a porosity of from 60% to 80%, wherein the method comprises: extruding a silicone elastomer through a die to form silicone elastomer elements; cutting each of the extruded silicone elastomer elements into portions of silicone elastomer elements, each of said portions having a similar length; agglomerating the portions of silicone elastomer elements; polymerizing the agglomerated portions of silicone elastomer elements in a moulding tool to form a preform; removing the preform from the moulding tool; storing the preform at a temperature of from 80° C. to 150° C.; placing the preform into a mould; casting an aluminium alloy in the mould at a temperature of from 800° C. to 820° C., and at a pressure of from 700 mbar to 1.5 bar, to allow the alloy to penetrate into interstices of the preform, thereby forming an aluminium alloy foam and silica powder; and removing the aluminium alloy foam from the mould.