The Effects of Compression and Pore Size Variations on the Liquid Flow Characteristics in Metal Foams

Open-cell aluminum foams were investigated using water to determine their hydraulic characteristics. Maximum fluid flow velocities achieved were 1.042 m/s. The permeability and form coefficient varied from 2.46×10−10 m2 and 8701 m−1 to 3529×10−10 m2 and 120 m−1, respectively. It was determined that the flowrate range influenced these calculated parameters, especially in the transitional regime where the permeability based Reynolds number varied between unity and 26.5. Beyond the transition regime where ReK≳30, the permeability and form coefficient monotonically approached values which were reported as being calculated at the maximum flow velocities attained. The results obtained in this study are relevant to engineering applications employing metal foams ranging from convection heat sinks to filters and flow straightening devices.