Solórzano, E.; Garcia-Moreno, F.; Babcsán, N.; Banhart, J.: Thermographic Monitoring of Aluminium Foaming Process. Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation 28 (2009), p. 141-148
10.1007/s10921-009-0056-6
Abstract:
A novel method for measuring the temperature distribution and evolution of metal foams in the molten state is proposed. Foamable AlSi9 precursor material containing 0.6 wt% TiH2 was foamed, kept at high temperatures and solidified while its temperature distribution was monitored by a thermographic camera. Free foaming and foaming inside a closed mould were carried out and direct and screened IR monitoring have been tested. Different heating conditions were applied giving rise to homogeneous and inhomogeneous temperature distributions. The effect of oxidation was studied on a piece of pure aluminium for reference purposes. The error sources of the measured temperature were analysed. Direct monitoring of foams was shown to be associated to serious problems with quantitative temperature measurement, while screened monitoring yielded promising and accurate quantitative results.