Cost estimation and the viability of metal foams

At present all metal foams are produced in small quantities using time and labor-intensive methods, and all, relative to the solid metals from which t hey derive, are expensive. Thus, one may ask if metal foams are viable. By viable a favorable balance between performance ann cost is meant, Viability is assessed by constructing a value function which includes measures of bo th performance and cost. It allows ranking of materials by both economic an d technical criteria. The authors describe progress in constructing and usi ng cost models for two of the processes by which metal foams are made and d escribe their method for assessing the viability of a ne ru material.