Structure and mechanical properties of AFS sandwiches studied by in-situ compression tests in X-ray microtomography

Al foam core / Al alloy skins sandwiches have potential for application in light weight structures. Recently, the foaming processes have improved and large, thick and 3D-shape panels can be produced using the precursor technology. The microstructure of an AFS sandwich is analysed in this paper at a microscale and a mesoscale using X-ray tomography and conventional SEM analysis. The main deformation mechanism of the core under compression is also studied thanks to in situ test. It is shown that the foam first present plastic buckling and then walls rupture. This is well correlated to the microstructure of the constitutive material of the core.