Reinforcement production within a vehicle, especially a car, component cavity comprises an in-situ metal foam formation to increase buckling rigidity and energy absorption and reduce weight

摘要

Reinforcement production in a vehicle component cavity, comprises in-situ formation of a metal foam within the cavity. A reinforcement is produced in a vehicle component cavity by melting and reacting solid metal and a foaming agent within the cavity to produce a metal foam which solidifies to form a reinforcement. An Independent claim is also included for a carrier consisting of solid metal and a foaming agent for carrying out the above process. Preferred Features: The carrier consists of aluminum, zinc or an aluminum-zinc alloy and 0.5-3 wt.% foaming agent, especially titanium and/or zirconium hydride, and is in the form of a coiled sheet with projections.