Lightweight cellular materials can be used in the construction of comp
osite plates, shells and tubes with high structural efficiency. Metall
ic sandwich construction with integrally bonded Face-sheet/foam core c
onfigurations offer a cost-efficient alternative to conventional skin-
stringer and honeycomb core components. The potential effectiveness of
such constructions is dependent on the properties and performance of
the core materials. In this study, aluminum foams made by two liquid-s
tate production methods are considered. The cellular structure and mec
hanical properties of these foams are investigated, and the influence
of the production method on the structural performance of the material
s is discussed. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgica Inc.