Syntactic foams formulations, production techniques, and industry applications: a review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the study of lightweight syntactic foams (SFs) because of their tailorable properties, quality characteristics and suitable applications in diverse technology industry. A considerable amount of literature has been published on SFs with most of these studies focusing on particular aspect like the matrices types (polymer, metal, ceramics, bio and hybrids); filler types (microparticles/microballoons/microspheres); nanoadditives types (nanotubes, nanofibers, nanoparticles); types of production techniques (powder metallurgy, infiltration and casting, mechanical molding and chemical deposition); and industry applications (aerospace, marine, building and construction, automotive and electrical and electronics). However, much of the literatures up to now has been research articles and few review articles. And there has been no attempt to comprehensively discuss SFs touching on the main research interest in a robust manner. Thus far, this study, brings a comprehensive insight toward the isolated research areas in SFs and then, compares and summarizes outcomes and inference from previous and current studies. And recommends on future research.

Keywords

• Syntactic foams
• Production techniques
• Matrix formulation
• Characteristics behavior
• Additives and fillers
• Morphological structure