Thermal conductivity of porous alumina ceramics prepared using starch as a pore-forming agent

The thermal conductivity of porous alumina ceramics prepared using different types of starch (potato, wheat, corn, and rice starch) as pore-forming agents is investigated from room temperature up to 500 °C. The temperature dependence measured for alumina ceramics of different porosity (in the range 6–47%) is fitted with second-order polynomials and 1/T-type relations, and compared to available literature data for dense alumina. It is found that the porosity dependence of the relative thermal conductivity k_r = k/k₀ is well described by a modified exponential relation of the form k_r = exp(?1.5?/(1 ? ?)), where ? is the porosity. This finding is in agreement with other literature data and seems to indicate a common feature of all porous materials with microstructures resulting from fugitive pore-forming agents.     

Effects of mono-dispersed PMMA micro-balls as pore-forming agent on the properties of porous YSZ ceramics

Porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics were successfully fabricated by the dry pressing method with different size (1.8–20 μm) and amount (2–60 vol.%) of mono-dispersed poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) micro-balls. Different PMMA additions with different size and amount were investigated to achieve optimal thermal and mechanical properties. With increases of the amount of PMMA, the porosity of porous YSZ ceramics ranges from 7.29% to 51.6%, the flexural strength increases firstly and then decreases, and the thermal conductivity decreases continuously. With decreases of the diameter of PMMA micro-balls, the mean pore size and thermal conductivity of porous YSZ ceramics decrease, and the flexural strength of porous YSZ ceramics with same porosity increases firstly and then decreases. The porous YSZ ceramics with a higher porosity (18.44 ± 1.24%), the highest flexural strength (106.88 ± 3.2179 MPa) and low thermal conductivity (1.105 ± 0.15 W/m K) can be obtained when the particle diameter and the amount of PMMA are 5 μm and 20 vol.%, respectively.     

Characterization of porous silicon nitride ceramics by pressureless sintering using fly ash cenosphere as a pore-forming agent

A new method for fabricating porous silicon nitride ceramics has been developed by using fly ash cenosphere (FAC) with mean diameter of 87 μm as a pore-forming agent. Sintering was carried out at 1780 °C for 2 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. FAC can also act as a sintering aid besides a pore-forming agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies showed that YSiO₂N forms instead of Y₂Si₃O₃N₄ when FAC is incorporated. Microstructural analysis revealed that large spherical cavities are scattered in a relative dense matrix. Porous Si₃N₄ ceramics with density of 2.17–2.30 g/cm³, Young’s modulus of 141–150 GPa and strength of 180–320 MPa were obtained by changing the FAC content.     

Novel camphene/photopolymer solution as pore-forming agent for photocuring-assisted additive manufacturing of porous ceramics

This study proposes camphene/photopolymer solutions as a novel pore-forming agent for the photocuring-assisted additive manufacturing of porous ceramics. Unlike conventional techniques using molten camphene, solid camphene can be directly dissolved in the photocurable monomer hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) at room temperature, which can then crystallize with a dendrite-like morphology based on phase separation at lower temperatures. This unique approach allows alumina suspensions to solidify at ―2 °C and then effectively be photopolymerized using a digital light processing engine, resulting in camphene-rich crystals surrounded by photopolymerized alumina/HDDA walls. Sintered samples exhibited a highly porous structure, with the pores created after the removal of the camphene-rich crystals. Two different pore sizes were obtained in the lower and upper regions of a single layer, due to a decrease in the solidification rate along the building direction, although their porosities were similar (～ 52 vol%). The porous samples exhibited a compressive strength of ～ 265 MPa.     

Effects of pore structure on thermal conductivity and strength of alumina porous ceramics using carbon black as pore-forming agent

In the present work, carbon black (CB) works as a pore-forming agent in the preparation of alumina porous ceramics. The pore structures (i.e. mean pore size, pore size distribution and various pores size proportions) were characterized by means of Micro-image Analysis and Process System (MIAPS) software and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Then their correlation and thermal conductivity as well as strength were determined using grey relation theory. The results showed that the porosity and mean pore size increased against the amount of CB, whereas the thermal conductivity, cold crushing strength and cold modulus of rupture reduced. The <2 μm pores were helpful for enhancing the strength and decreasing the thermal conductivity whereas the >14 μm pores had the opposite effects.     

High performance porous Si3N4 ceramics prepared by coated pore-forming agent method

Coated pore-forming agent method (CPFAM) was introduced to improve the pore-forming agent method (PFAM) for the preparation of porous silicon nitride ceramics. Using SEM in combination with measurements of porosity and flexural strength, it has been found that the flexural strength of the porous silicon nitride ceramics produced with the CPFAM method is significantly higher than those without the coating process: a 100% increase in flexural strength for samples with a porosity of 50%. The porous silicon nitride ceramics also have a very low dielectric constant, which is ideal for applications in wave-transmitting systems. The enhanced mechanical strength of the silicon nitride made by the CPFAM method is a result of a more uniform distribution of the spherical pores and the formation of a dense layer of rod-like microstructures near the surface of the pores.     

A novel approach to fabricate porous alumina ceramics with excellent properties via pore-forming agent combined with sol impregnation technique

An innovative approach for fabricating porous alumina ceramics (PACs) with improved mechanical and thermal properties using walnut shell powders as pore-forming agent combined with alumina sol impregnation is reported in the present work. It is demonstrated that uniform distribution of spherical pores can be observed in as-prepared PACs by using above technical route. The decrease of walnut shell powder sizes significantly promotes the enhancement of crushing strength and reduction of thermal conductivity of the PACs. Meanwhile, the impregnated alumina sol is favoring for the formation of spherical micro-pores, then further improves their mechanical and thermal insulation performances. The lowest thermal conductivity and highest crushing strength of resulting sample reach 0.16?W/m?K and 29.2?MPa, respectively. This novel method offers new possibilities to fabricate high-quality PACs.     

Capillary rise properties of porous mullite ceramics prepared by an extrusion method using organic fibers as the pore former

Porous mullite ceramics with unidirectionally oriented pores were prepared by an extrusion method to investigate their capillary rise properties. Rayon fibers 16.5 μm in diameter and 800 μm long were used as the pore formers by kneading with alumina powder, kaolin clay, China earthen clay and binder with varying Fe₂O₃ contents of 0, 5 and 7 mass%. The resulting pastes were extruded into cylindrical tubes (outer diameter (OD) 30–50 mm and inner diameter (ID) 20–30 mm), dried at room temperature and fired at 1500 °C for 4 h. The bulk densities of the resulting porous ceramics ranged from 1.31 to 1.67 g/cm³, with apparent porosities of 43.2–59.3%. The pore size distributions measured by Hg porosimetry showed a sharp peak at 10.0 μm in the sample without Fe₂O₃ and at 15.6 μm in the samples containing Fe₂O₃; these pores, which arose from the burnt-out rayon fibers, corresponded to total pore volumes ranging from 0.24 to 0.34 ml/g. SEM showed a microstructure consisting of unidirectionally oriented pores in a porous mullite matrix. Prismatic mullite crystals were well developed on the surfaces of the pore walls owing to the liquid phase formed by the Fe₂O₃ component added to color the samples. The bending strengths of the tubular samples ranged from 15.6 to 26.3 MPa. The height of capillary rise, measured under controlled relative humidities (RH) of 50, 65 and 85%, was greater in the ceramics containing Fe₂O₃ than in those without Fe₂O₃, especially in the thinner samples. The maximum capillary rise reached about 1300 mm, much higher than previously reported. This excellent capillary rise ability is thought to be due to the controlled pore size, pore distribution and pore orientation in these porous mullite ceramics.     

Effect of starch addition on microstructure and properties of highly porous alumina ceramics

Porous alumina ceramics with ultra-high porosity were prepared through combining the gel-casting process with the pore-forming agent technique. Porosity and pore size distribution of the sintered bulks were evaluated with and without adding starch, respectively. In particular, the influences of starch addition on the properties, including thermal conductivity and compressive strength were studied. It was found that the incorporation of starch increased the nominal solid loading in the suspension and subsequently promoted the particle packing efficiency. The porosity is raised with increasing starch content from 0 to 30 vol%, which brings the decrease in thermal conductivity, whereas the compressive strength isn't seriously degraded. The further higher starch addition (40 vol%), however, would deteriorate the performance of the alumina porous ceramics. It is believed that the appropriate starch amount (lower than 30 vol%), working as a pore-forming agent, suppresses the driving force of densification without affecting the connections of neighboring grains while excessive starch amount would lead to the collapse of the porous structure.     

Fabrication and properties of SiC porous ceramics using a polyurethane preparation process

SiC porous ceramics can be prepared by introducing the polyurethane preparation method into the production process of ceramic biscuits, followed by sintering at 1300?°C for 2?h under N₂ flux after the cross-linking of polycarbosilane at 220?°C for 4?h in air. The microstructures, mechanical properties and infiltrations of the SiC porous ceramics are investigated in detail. The best dispersal effect comes from the SiC slurry with xylene as the solvent and a mixture of Silok®7096 (1?wt%) and Anjeka®6041 (4?wt%) as the dispersant. The compressive strength of SiC porous ceramics with high porosity (69.53%) reaches 16.9?MPa. The heat treatment can increase infiltration, the rate of which (4.296?×?10^?7 mm²) after the heat treatment at 750?°C in air is approximately two times faster than that before the heat treatment. The SiC porous ceramics fabricated in this study will have potential application in active thermal protection systems.     

Elastic properties of neutron-irradiated steatite ceramics

Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 10, pp. 26–27, October, 1988.     

多孔粒状陶瓷负载水合氧化锆吸磷材料的制备及其性能研究

以工业粉状废物为主要原料制备出粒径为2～4 mm,孔隙率为45.93%,表观密度为1.37 g/cm3,单颗抗压强度为47.73 N的粒状陶瓷滤料,并在其上负载水合氧化锆以制备吸磷材料,考察其吸磷性能和影响因素。通过SEM、XRD和FT-IR对材料进行分析,以研究其吸磷机制。结果表明:滤料负载水合氧化锆后,质量增加了20.48%,比表面积由7.15 m2/g增大到19.35 m2/g,大孔结构为主的孔隙结构变为以介孔结构为主。吸磷主要通过其表面的羟基和磷酸根之间的离子交换实现。在30℃、pH为7时,其对磷酸根有较好的吸附能力,饱和吸附量为10.79 mg/g。其吸附等温线符合Langmiur吸附模型,吸附动力学符合二级吸附动力学模型。吸附后的滤料可在NaOH中再生,经多次"吸附-解吸"后,其吸附容量一直稳定在0.5 mg/g左右。     

NMMO溶剂法纤维素海绵的制备及性能研究——成孔剂用量的影响

以N-甲基吗啉-N-氧化物(NMMO)为溶剂、以棉浆粕为原料、以无水硫酸钠为成孔剂制备了纤维素海绵,探讨了成孔剂用量对纤维素海绵形态结构、孔隙率、吸水性、保湿性和拉伸强度的影响。结果表明,随着成孔剂用量的提高,所制得的纤维素海绵平均孔径变大,孔壁变薄,通孔增多,但成孔剂用量过多时,海绵孔壁会产生轻微断裂。此外,随着成孔剂用量的提高,海绵的孔隙率及吸水保湿性提高,拉伸强度则有所下降,综合考虑海绵的性能及成型过程的难易程度等因素,当成孔剂用量为纤维素溶液的3倍为宜,所得纤维素海绵的孔隙结构均匀饱满、综合性能较高。     

Tensile strength and corrosion resistance properties of porous Al2O3/Ni composites prepared with rice husk pore-forming agent

The mechanical performance and chemical stability of porous alumina materials operating under harsh service conditions are of utmost importance in understanding their operational behavior if they are to stand the test of time. In the present study, the joint effect of nickel (Ni) reinforcement and rice husk (RH) pore-forming agent (PFA) on the tensile strength and the corrosion resistance properties of composite porous alumina ceramics was studied. To exploit the potential of this new porous alumina system, plain and Ni-reinforced porous alumina samples (Al₂O₃-xNi-RH; x?=?2, 4, 6 and 8?wt%) were developed through the powder metallurgy technique. Comprehensive investigation on the tensile strength properties of the developed porous alumina ceramics showed that relative to the plain sample (tensile strength and elastic modulus; 6.1?MPa and 1201?MPa), the presence of highly stable Ni₃Al₂SiO₈ spinelloid promoted the tensile strength enhancement (12.6–6.4?MPa) and the elastic modulus decline (897–627?MPa) of the composite samples. Similarly, corrosion resistance test was performed on the composite porous alumina samples in both 10?wt% NaOH and 20?wt% H₂SO₄ hot aqueous solutions. Overall, the composite samples demonstrated superior chemical stability in NaOH solution as compared with the plain sample. On the other hand, the composites were more prone to attack in H₂SO₄ solution, except for the Al₂O₃-2Ni-10RH composite sample which maintained its superiority over the plain counterpart.     

Characterization of iron(III) oxide nanoparticles prepared by using ammonium acetate as precipitating agent

The effect of precipitating agent on the preparation of iron(III) oxide particles was investigated. Iron(III) oxide particles were prepared by precipitation of aqueous ferric nitrate solution by using ammonium acetate and ammonium hydroxide as precipitating agents. Particle size, shape, chemical composition, crystalline formation rate, crystallinity and magnetic property were measured for Fe₂O₃ particles obtained by precipitating with ammonium acetate, and compared with those of particles formed by using ammonium hydroxide. TGA, DTA, IR, XRD, TEM and VSM were used to characterize the particles. The nanoparticles synthesized with ammonium acetate showed a narrow size distribution, spherical shape, fast crystalline formation rate, high crystallinity and complete hysteresis loop. The better properties of particles formed by using ammonium acetate were originated from the chelating effect of carboxylate ions and higher crystallinity than those synthesized with ammonium hydroxide.     

多孔陶瓷材料的制备及性能研究

从分析网状结构多孔陶瓷材料的孔隙成形机理着手，描述了高孔隙网状结构陶瓷材料的制备工艺，包括高孔隙纤维网状结构陶瓷材料的制各，并分析了多孔陶瓷的力学性能及渗透性能。     

Preparation of porous SiC-Al2O3 ceramics via gelcasting utilising a shrinkable pore-forming agent and oxidised coarse-grained SiC

By utilising soaked millet as a shrinkable pore-forming agent, porous silicon carbide-alumina (SiC-Al₂O₃) ceramics were prepared via gelcasting. The fabrication of SiC-Al₂O₃ ceramics based on oxidised and unoxidised coarse-grained SiC was also studied. The water swelling, drying shrinkage, and low-temperature carbonisation of the millet were investigated. We found that the shrinkage of the soaked millet was greater than that of gel body during drying, which left large gaps that prevented shrinkage stresses from destroying the gel body. Low-temperature carbonisation of the millet should be performed slowly at 220–240?°C because its expansion rate increases to 45% at 250?°C, resulting in the cracking of samples. At a constant sintering temperature, the flexural strength of the SiC-Al₂O₃ ceramics prepared with SiC powders oxidised at 1000?°C was the highest, indicating that oxidised powders can successfully decrease the required sintering temperature and improve the flexural strength of composite ceramics. Based on our optimised process, porous SiC-Al₂O₃ ceramics were sintered at 1500?°C for 2?h. When their skeletons were fully developed, their pore sizes were in the range of 1.5–2?mm. Their porosity and flexural strength were 60.2–65.1% and 8.3–10.5?MPa, respectively.     

Microstructure and properties of lightweight fibrous porous mullite ceramics prepared by vacuum squeeze moulding technique

A novel fibrous porous mullite network with a quasi-layered microstructure was produced by a simple vacuum squeeze moulding technique. The effects of organic binder content, inorganic binder and adsorbent on the microstructure and the room-temperature thermal and mechanical properties of fibrous porous mullite ceramics were systematically investigated. An anisotropy microstructure without agglomeration and layering was achieved. The fibrous porous mullite ceramics reported in this study exhibited low density (0.40 g/cm³), low thermal conductivity (~0.095 W/(m K)), and high compressive strength (~2.1 MPa in the x/y direction). This study reports an optimal processing method for the production of fibrous porous ceramics, which have the potential for use as high-temperature thermal insulation material.