Shaping of aluminum foam during foaming of precursor using steel mesh with various opening ratios

In this study, steel meshes with various opening ratios φ were used to shape aluminum foams during precursor foaming. The effect of φ on the heating rate and shape of the obtained aluminum foams was investigated. It was found that steel meshes with various opening ratios can be used to shape aluminum foam. There is no significant effect on the pore structures of the obtained aluminum foams when upward expansion is restricted during foaming, regardless of the value of φ. The meshes with higher φ clearly transfer the mesh pattern onto the surface of the aluminum foam but require a shorter foaming time. In contrast, the lower-φ meshes produce aluminum foams with a smoother surface but a longer foaming time is required.