Evaluation of the Cause and Consequences of Defects in Cast Metal-Ceramic Composite Foams

In this research, the quality of manufactured cast metal-ceramic foams (manufactured using blowing gas) was tested. The causes responsible for defect formation in the composite foams and their consequences were analyzed using the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) method, which is a useful tool for minimizing losses caused by low product quality. This method involves analytically determining correlations between the cause and consequences of potential product defects, and it takes into account the criticality factor (risk). The FMEA analysis showed that pore breaks were the most "critical defect" (with the highest number of effects on the product, the Risk Priority Number, affecting the quality of the composite foam). The second most critical defect was discontinuities in the foam frame structure. Destruction or damage to the foam structure (although very rare) deprived the composite foam of its primary function, which is to reinforce the product. The third most critical defect was non-uniform foam pore size.