HoMe: Wood-metal foam

Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI developed a new material called ‘HoMe Foam’ (‘HoMe’ is an acronym for ‘wood-metal’. The result is a mix with – according to the researchers – excellent insulating properties, with a low density and bending strength.

By reinforcing wood foam with a metal matrix, the bending strength of wood foam can be significantly improved. In the case of HoMe foam, according to Fraunhofer, the bending strength is even better than that of the individual components. This makes the new material interesting for use in, for example, self-supporting lightweight sandwich materials.

According to Fraunhofer, this makes the material suitable for the automotive industry, for example in the role of structural, soundproof plates in the bonnet or in the doors.

More about HoMe foam in Innovative Materials number 5 2018