Founded 1995 | Products Aluminum foam | |
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Industry MilitaryArchitecturalAutomotive Stock price CYM (CVE) CA$ 0.36 0.00 (0.00%)6 Mar, 4:00 PM GMT-5 - Disclaimer | ||
Cymat Technologies is a public corporation based out of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and one of the world leaders in the production of Aluminum foam.
Process
As described in the patent originally created by Alcan with parallel patents created by Norsk Hydro, “Stabilized Aluminum Foam” is generated in a continuous casting process via direct shop air injection into a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) melt. The MMC comprises an Al-Si cast alloy with a volume of particle in suspension. The purpose of the particle is to provide melt stability and must adhere to the following criteria;
Though it is a controversial topic, it is widely accepted that the presence of the solid particles aid in the "stabilization" of bubbles. It is thought that particulate aids in foam stability via the following mechanisms:
The process for the creation of Stabilized Aluminum Foam and can be broken down into these 4 rudimentary steps:
- Melting
- Air Injection
- Casting
- Solidification
Once the raw MMC is melted, it is then transferred to the foaming apparatus where gas is injected into the melt and dispersed using either rotating impellers or vibrating nozzles. The bubbles rise to the surface and the resultant metal foam mixture cast will rise out of the foaming apparatus due to its density relative to that of the molten MMC. As the metallic foam is being cast, it is simultaneously drawn off the surface by, for example, a conveyor belt. While it is drawn off, it is then cooled and forms a porous metallic structure.