Abstract
Both experimental and theoretical works were performed to study the effects and the control of unidirectional solidification process on the pore size of the foamed aluminum. Analytical prediction showed that the growth and shape of pores formed during unidirectional solidification are affected by compromise between the solidification rate and the growing speed of pores in the region of molten aluminum. The slower the solidiflcation rate, the larger the cylindrical pores formed at the solid-liquid interface. This may be attributed to the pore incorporation with other pores in the liguid region to form larger pores in cylindrical shape.
