Method for the manufacture of metal foams by electrolytic reduction of porous oxidic preforms

摘要

A method for the manufacture of a foamed metal or alloy article including the steps of: A) selecting a particulate feedstock having suitable proportions of a metal element or combination of metal elements M1 contaminated by one or more contaminants X to form an alloy suitable for the foamed article: B) mixing the feedstock with a binder to form a slurry; C) preforming the slurry into a near net shape of the desired article and drying the preform to remove the binder; D) sintering the dried preform to provide a bonded foamed article; E) introducing the sintered article into an electrochemical cell, the cell containing a liquid electrolyte comprising a fused salt or mixture of salts generally designated as M2Y in which contaminant(s) X is soluble, and a relatively inert anode; F) conducting electrolysis under conditions favourable to the selective dissolution of the contaminant(s) X in preference to the M2 cation; and G) following electrolysis reclaiming the purified foam article from the cathode.