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3 Other Uses For Metal Foam That Aren’t Armor

July 20, 2016

Metal foam spent some time trending on the internet last month for a very cool reason. Scientists and engineers created a foam armor that not only stops bullets, but pulverizes them. Not only does it stop armor-piercing bullets, it also creates such a small indent from the bullet’s impact that it beats out the other armor used commonly today by a landslide.

The applications for this foam are many and obvious; from police and military grade armor for people, to cars, houses, and planes made of similar materials. What is less obvious, are the other applications of foams made of metal that are already in use.

Here are three lesser known but still awesome uses for foam made of metal:

  1. Orthopedics: although it has yet to be used on humans, metal foam has been used for experimental animal prosthetics. The porous foams, such as titanium, have been shown to allow vascularization in the area.
  2. Vehicular: The main use of metal foam in vehicles is to reduce noise, reduce weight, and increase energy absorption during crashes. Usually, when a car crashes, any hollow parts (used because it makes the vehicle lighter) cause vibrations and break more easily; using foam to fill those hollow parts allows for the car to take more of the impact without passing it to the passengers.
    [insert video of car crash with metal foam]
  3. Thermal: A study out of NC State University found that light-weight metal foams are significantly more effective at insulating against high heat than traditional metals, such as steel. This makes them incredibly useful for transporting hazardous materials, explosives, or other heat sensitive materials. Another advantage is that the foam expands less in heat than steel, and at a more constant rate.

While the bullet-blasting foam definitely has  got our interest sparked, there are many more uses for this incredible material in the pipeline. From uses in aerospace engineering to crafting the next coolest, bulletproof car, we’re waiting to see what this super foam will do next.

Have some insight on metal foam or ideas on how it can be used in the future? Tweet us at www.twitter.com/arris_search