Properties of Foam Materials

Properties of Foam Materials

Abundant data on various foam materials offered by Ultramet are available on request. Selected information follows.

Reticulated Vitreous Carbon Foam

Typical Physical Properties of Open-Cell Reticulated Vitreous Carbon

Pore sizes available 10, 20, 30, 45, 65, 80, and 100 ppi
Ash content 0.39 wt% at 1000°C
Bulk density 0.045 g/cm3
Ligament density 1.538 g/cm3
Resistivity 0.75 Ω · cm
Specific heat 0.30 cal/g/°C
Maximum use temperature 350°C in air
3500°C inert
Thermal expansion, ppm/°C
0–200°C
0–500°C
0–1000°C
1.15
1.65
1.65
Thermal conductivity, W/m · K
at 200°C
at 300°C
at 400°C
at 500°C
at 650°C
at 800°C
at 950°C
0.085
0.125
0.180
0.252
0.407
0.625
0.882
Compressive strength, kPa at 20°C 625 (10% deflection)
763 (ultimate)
Compressive strength, kPa at 1000°C in argon 391 (10% deflection)
628 (ultimate)
Shear strength at 20°C 290 kPa
Tensile strength at 20°C 690 kPa
Flexural strength at 20°C 690 kPa
Flexural modulus 58.6 MPa

Silicon Carbide Foam

Typical Physical Properties of Open-Cell Silicon Carbide

Pore sizes available 10, 20, 30, 45, 65, 80, and 100 ppi
Bulk density 0.16–1.28 g/cm3
Relative density 5–40%
Theoretical ligament density 3.2 g/cm3
Specific heat (10% SiC) 0.34 cal/g/°C
Maximum use temperature 1650°C in air
2500°C inert
Thermal expansion see below
Thermal conductivity see below
Strength see below
Young’s modulus see below
Strain to failure 0.07% at 20°C

Thermal properties of silicon carbide foam produced to 10 vol% dense (0.32 g/cm3). Thermal expansion is independent of vol% density and matches that of solid silicon carbide.

Strength and Young’s modulus as a function of bulk density for open-cell silicon carbide foam

Pressure drop data for water flow through 2 × 3 × ½” slabs of silicon carbide foam with water flowing parallel to the long axis of the sample; 80- and 100-ppi foams with relative densities of 20 and 30% were tested.

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