Closed-cell foams produced from sputter-deposited aluminum

Sputter deposited aluminum containing argon was melted to produce foam, both in the earth's gravitational field and in a zero-gravity space environment. Experiments leading to trapping of up to 270 ppm argon sputtering gas in pure aluminum during high-rate dc triode sputter deposition are discussed. Conduct of the melting experiments and design of the furnace used are described. Metallography; an analysis of bubble size, distribution, and morphology; and a preliminary description of the kinetics are also presented.