Metal foam presents an exciting new material for engineers to explore
Metal foam is a zinc-aluminium-silver alloy which is said to be able to stretch up to 100 times its original form.
Developed by Mexican company, LTM Hotspot, the material is made through a transformative process – similar to copper, silver and aluminium – which sees it transform from a liquid to solid state.
Capable of being manipulated to meet multiple applications, metal foam is already being explored as a new material for the automotive and medical industries.
As a porous metal alloy, the material mimics a structure that can be found in bones, coral and some rock formations, resulting in a material that is light and strong.
Mexican University, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos, are currently undertaking a project to develop metal foam for commercial use across a variety of applications.
One exciting application where the material can be found comes in the radical shape of the Inferno, a 245mph hypercar with a chassis made from metal foam.
The strong, lightweight and relative low cost of metal foam – when combined with hydroxyapatite ceramic – also means metal foam is viable alternative to titanium and other heavier and corrosive metals for medical implants.
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