Functionally aluminum foam composites for building industry

Aluminum foams already are in automotive and machine tool industry serial application. Only little interest has been shown by the construction or building industry so far. The still relatively high material costs, lack of connecting and joining techniques, as well as reservations of the users towards new material solutions are the reasons why. In the building industry design for efficiency is taking into account the principles of lightweight material and structure. Especially sandwich panels with aluminum foam core are of high interest. The high rigidity with low weight and high resistance to fire are the major advantages of these panels. Also these semi-finished materials shield electromagnetic waves and show extensive vibration reduction and sound insulation. Combining the sandwiches with additional functions such as cooling and heating by integrated tubes is one example.