Method and means for producing moulded foam bodies

1. A method for producing a discrete moulded body of a foamed metal comprising

providing a mould ( 1 ) having a generally closed cavity ( 8 ), having the general shape of the body being formed, and at least one entrance opening ( 3 );

completely filling the mould cavity with a molten metal;

filling the mould cavity with a foam ( 9 ) by accumulation of bubbles rising through the molten metal ( 4 ), while keeping at least the entrance opening ( 3 ) submerged in the molten metal;

cooling the mould to solidify the foam in said cavity;

opening the mould; and

removing the formed body.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the mould ( 1 ) is raised vertically during foaming.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the mould is evacuated before and/or under the filling/foaming process.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bubbles are generated by a foaming means ( 5 , 305 ) arranged in the molten metal ( 4 ) below the entrance opening ( 3 ) of the mould ( 1 ).

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein refractory particles are added to the molten metal prior to generating said foam.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said mould is pre-heated prior to introducing said foam.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said mould is completely submerged in said molten metal.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said mould is partially submerged in said molten metal.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein any air in said mould is vented through a vent provided on said mould.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the lowermost portion of said foam is maintained at the same depth in the molten metal.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein said mould comprises a hollow article to be filled with said foam.

12. A method of filling a hollow metal article with an aluminum foam, said article having at least one opening into the hollow interior thereof, the method comprising:

positioning said article above a molten aluminum bath, said article being positioned so as to maintain at least said opening submerged in the molten aluminum;

completely filling the interior of said article with the molten aluminum;

generating an aluminum foam by introducing air in said molten aluminum;

allowing said foam to enter the interior of said hollow article, through said opening, thereby causing displacement of said molten aluminum;

removing said article from the bath and allowing the foam to cool and harden.

13. A method of producing a discrete moulded body of a foamed metal in a mould having a generally closed cavity, having the general shape of the body being formed, and at least one opening into said cavity, the method comprising:

providing a heated bath containing a molten metal, the bath also including a gas injection means;

positioning said mould above said bath wherein at least said opening is maintained submerged in the molten metal, the opening being positioned above said gas injection means;

completely filling the mould with the molten metal:

generating a metal foam by introducing air in said molten metal through said gas injection means;

allowing said foam to enter into the mould cavity through said opening;

cooling said mould to cause said foam to cool and harden within said mould;

opening said mould and removing the formed body.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein any air contained in the mould is released through a vent in the mould during filling with said molten metal or said foam.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein said mould is raised during generation of said foam.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein refractory particles are added to the molten metal prior to generating said foam.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein said mould is pre-heated prior to introducing said foam.

18. The method according to claim 13 wherein said mould is completely submerged in said molten metal during filling with said molten metal.

19. The method according to claim 13 wherein said mould is partially submerged in said molten metal.

20. The method according to claim 13 wherein any air in said mould is vented through a vent provided on said mould.

21. The method according to claim 13 wherein the lowermost portion of said foam is maintained at the same depth in the molten metal.

22. The method according to claim 13 wherein said mould comprises a hollow article to be filled with said foam.