Novel technology for improving damping capacity of aluminium foam by interface layer

Abstract

A novel technology of designing interface layer using macromolecule resin element, polystyrene, to enhance the damping capacity of aluminium foam is successfully attempted. The interface layer was fabricated by coating a polystyrene film on the pore surface of the aluminium foam using a similar sol–gel technology. Results of the measurements show that the introduction of interface layer not only improves the mechanical strength, but also significantly enhances the damping capacity that can be an order increase relative to the corresponding aluminium foam matrix in the temperature range of room temperature to 80°C. The involved damping mechanisms include the intrinsic damping and interface damping of the constituents. The latter should be dominant as a result of relatively easy energy dissipation through interfacial friction.