The work aims to improve the strength and corrosion resistance of aluminum foam and clarify the comprehensive energy consumption indicators of aluminum foam with metal coating. Closed aluminum foam was treated by pulse nickel-tungsten co-deposition process in sulfate system after nickel plating. The quasi-static compression and SEM were utilized to obtain the characteristic curve and deformation mode of aluminum foam, Ni coated aluminum foam and aluminum foam with Ni-W coating. Furthermore, the enhancement mechanism and energy consumption indicators of materials were analyzed comprehensively. Corrosion resistance of materials was investigated comparatively via electrochemical test. After nickel- tungsten co-deposition process, the peak stress of aluminum foam was 10% higher than that of aluminum foam with Ni coating and about 45% higher than the substrate aluminum foam. This was due to the support of the coating as well as the tearing effect between Al-Ni interface in the deformation process. The energy absorption of aluminum foam increased by 38% after nickel-tungsten co-deposition and the energy absorption efficiency of aluminum foam also increased. Meanwhile, the self-corrosion potential was obviously positively shifted compared with nickel-plated aluminum foam and substrate aluminum foam, and the corrosion tendency and corrosion rate reduced. Co-deposition of nickel-tungsten alloy on the surface of aluminum foam further improves its strength and corrosion resistance compared with nickel-plated foamed aluminum. Due to the change of the characteristic curve and deformation mode, the energy consumption characteristics of Ni-W co-deposition aluminum foam are improved significantly.