Fabrication and characterization of recycled Al-Cu alloy metal foams by powder metallurgy using NaHCO₃ as a foaming agent as a foaming agent
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33414/rtyc.57.36-48.2026Keywords:
metallic foams, aluminium, copper, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), powder metallurgyAbstract
This study evaluated the feasibility of obtaining aluminum-copper alloy metal foams from recycled materials, using sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as an alternative foaming agent via powder metallurgy. Aluminum and copper powders obtained by mechanical machining and milling were used, with final particle sizes ranging from 150 µm to 500 µm. The powders were mixed, cold-pressed, and placed in an oven at 900 °C for a short time. The resulting samples were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and relative density determination. The results showed the formation of porous structures with a heterogeneous pore distribution, relative densities between 0.29 and 0.31, and the presence of cracks. An improvement in structural homogeneity was observed in samples made with powders subjected to mechanical milling. NaHCO3 is thus a technically and economically viable alternative.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ofelia Jessica S. Canteros, Leonardo Barabas, José M. Espasandin , Franco J. P. Teruel
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
