DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16980357
title: Numerical Homogenization and Directional Stiffness of Powder Metallurgically Produced AlSi10Mg Foams

description: Study Overview

This study investigates the elastic behavior of AlSi10Mg foams fabricated via powder metallurgical methods using TiH₂ as a foaming agent. Nanoindentation-based characterization of the foam wall material was combined with mechanical compression testing and simulation-based numerical homogenization to determine both microscopic and macroscopic Young’s moduli. High-resolution X-ray microscopy (XRM) data of three representative specimens were used to generate finite element meshes for computing directional stiffness properties.

Dataset Overview

The dataset consists of five main components:





High-resolution X-ray microscopy (XRM) data (XRM_Specimen_*.zip)




Compression experiment data (compression_experiment)




Numerical homogenization data (numerical_homogenization)




Raw mechanical testing data (Data_compression_tests.xlsx)




Microstructural characterization data (microstructural_characterization.zip)



All measurements are given in millimeters (mm), stiffness values in MPa, and forces in N.



 


High-Resolution X-ray Microscopy (XRM) Data

The XRM_Specimen_*.zip files contain tomography image stacks of three foam specimens.





Imaging: Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa




Parameters: 140 kV, 10 W, 0.037 s exposure, 3201 projections, voxel size 15.1 µm isotropic




Export: reconstructed with Zeiss Reconstructor, saved as DICOM stacks via Zeiss Data Explorer



Structure:





Specimen A → 8 parts




Specimen B → 10 parts




Specimen C → 9 parts




Each archive contains max. 100 DICOM slices → to restore, extract all parts into one folder.



Compression Experiment Data (compression_experiment)

Contains processed simulation and analysis of the compression tests.





segmented_3D_volume.npy – volumetric data




linearelastic_pressure_test.h5/.xdmf – deformation fields under uniaxial load (viewable in ParaView)




linearelastic_pressure_test_graphs.txt – tabular force–displacement records:





Col 1: applied displacement




Col 3: reaction force X




Col 4: reaction force Y





Raw Mechanical Testing Data (Data_compression_tests.xlsx)

Excel data of the quasistatic compression tests described in Section 2.4 Mechanical Testing of the publication.





Testing: ZwickRoell BT1-FR2.5TN.D14 system, ±2.5 kN load cell




Measurement: Limess Q400 3D-DIC system




Loading: displacement-controlled, v = 0.001 mm/s




Test sequence: flattening up to 80 N → cycles to 80 N and 350 N along x/y orientations




Sampling: 10 Hz (80 N), 2 Hz (350 N), 5 Hz for specimen C



This file provides synchronized stress–strain and reaction force data for experimental validation.

Microstructural Characterization (microstructural_characterization.zip)

This dataset contains the characterization of the AlSi10Mg foam bulk material. It includes nanoindentation-based determination of micro- and nanohardness as well as electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS) mapping of the microstructure.

1. Nanoindentation (UNAT Asmec Nanoindenter)





Standard: EN ISO 14577




Indentations performed using a UNAT Nanoindenter (Asmec).




Force-controlled half-sine loading with a duration of 14 s.




Two circular patterns at different positions within the foam walls, each containing 153 indents, arranged in concentric circles with increasing radius.




Analysis carried out using ZHN InspectorX software; all datasets drift corrected.




Files included:





Individual loading curves: stored in separate Excel files (VP3_S10_00529_XXXX.xlsx).




Aggregated data: combined and drift-corrected results in Circle3_153_corr and Circle4_153_corr.






Relevant data columns (used in the publication):





Relative position (X, Y)




Maximum indentation depth h




Indentation hardness H




Young’s modulus E





2. Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy (EDS)





Performed with a Philips XL40 electron microscope.




Mapping at 430× magnification with 10 kV acceleration voltage.




Provides elemental and structural mapping of the microstructure, complementing the nanoindentation results.



Numerical Homogenization Data (numerical_homogenization)

Contains simulation-based homogenization results for full specimens (1-part) and quarter models (4-part).





Chom.json – homogenized stiffness tensor




E_moduli.json – directional Young’s moduli (x→11, y→22, z→33, min/max)




G_moduli.json – shear moduli




*_dec_mesh.vtk – mesh visualization




*_point_cloud.png – graphical representation




write_e33_to_mesh.h5/.xdmf – stiffness mapped onto mesh



Notes





Lengths: mm




Stiffnesses: MPa




Forces: N




XRM voxel size: 15.1 µm³




Subvolume labels: denote extraction coordinates (e.g., subvolume_x81_y90)