Processing and mechanical behavior of Zn–Al–Cu porous alloys

Zn–Al–Cu porous alloys were produced by the replication method using NaCl crystals as place holders. The production method utilized does not require vacuum or complicated devices, making it an inexpensive and efficient method for producing such alloys. Materials were produced with varying porosity levels (52–64%) and final pore size (2–7 mm). Compression tests and hardness measurements revealed that the mechanical properties of the materials are highly dependent on the macroscopic pore size and porosity (pore fraction). In addition the materials’ properties were tailored using simple heat treatments producing microstructural changes. Energy absorption analysis show that the energy absorbed increases with an increase in yield stress and the range is approximately from 5.9 to 8.4 MJ m−3.