Metallic foams characterization using X-ray microtomography
Fanny Buyens, Samuel Legoupil, Alexandre Vabre · 2007
Due to their multi properties, metallic foams have become of major interest for both, basic research as well as industrial applications. In order to implement a thin modelling approach of fluid flows in such porous media, a three dimensional investigation of their internal structure is fundamental. An open-cell nickel foam is imaged using X-ray microtomography. The morphology of the foam is studied in detail using 3D image analysis. Parameters as the strut length and orientation distributions, the connectivity and the specific surface are determined from the 3D rendering volume of the foam to characterize the metallic structure. To qualify the porous space, we propose a 3D segmentation method based on the alpha-shapes approach. Pore size and orientation distributions are determined. This approach provides a tool to study the relationships between the foam microstructure and the physical properties, that should allow to determine optimal foams for given applications. Keywords: X-ray microtomography, metallic foam, 3D image analysis 1