Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

Metal Foams

Open-cell metallic foams are ideal for combining material properties with functionality resulting from their specific morphology. Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden has many years of experience in adapting commercially available element foams to the highest requirements. Special coating technologies and heat treatments have been developed to create passivation or functional layers that ensure excellent durability and high reactivity.

In addition, through close cooperation with Alantum corp. we have a reliable partner for the supply of high quality foams, upscaling and industrial production of open cell metallic foams.

If you have any questions or specific problems, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will find the best solution for you.

Specifications

  • Materials:
    Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ag, as well as their alloys (other materials on request)
  • Porosity range:
    max. 95 % 
  • Pore size range: 450 - 3000 µm
  • Foam dimensions:
    max. 400 mm x 400 mm, thickness from 1.6 to 4 mm
    (other dimensions on request)
Elementschaum
Pore size ca. 450 µm
Beschichteter Schaum
Schaum mit Katalysator

Characteristics

  • Excellent oxidation & corrosion resistance at high temperatures (→ HighTemp Foam)
  • Tailored mechanical properties & thermal stability
  • Tailored electrical, electrochemical & thermal properties
  • Tailored specific surface area (high strut surface roughness)
  • Tailored chemical composition
  • Tailored pore size & porosity, gradation within the metal foam feasible
  • Tailored density & pressure drop
  • Lightly formable in green state, but fixed in sintering state
  • Industrially implemented manufacturing process

Application examples

Exhaust technology

  • Diesel particulate filter (DPF) & diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)
  • Biogas upgrading (catalyst carrier for e.g. Fe oxide)
  • Industrial exhaust gas cleaning (e.g. in the wire coating process)

Energy technology

  • Supercapacitors and battery electrodes
  • Fuel cell (bipolar plate) & electrodes for water electrolysis
  • Heat exchanger, flame distributor ...
  • electric heating, high-voltage contact disks ...

Chemical technology

  • Catalyst material (Raney-Ni foam, Ag foam ...) or catalyst carrier material (catalytically active washcoats on open-cell metal foam)
  • Water and wastewater treatment

Special applications

  • Lightweight constructions, seals for converters, oil filtration ...
  • Noise absorbers, capillary evaporators, abrasive seals ...

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