Influence of surface tension, osmotic pressure and pores morphology on the densification of ice-templated ceramics

We attempt here to clarify the influence of the nature of the solvent on the ice-templating process, based on literature experimental results of porosity and suspension concentration. In particular, we compare the relative influence of surface tension, osmotic pressure and the pore size and radius of curvature on the densification of the green bodies. Variations of the osmotic pressure when changing the solvent can yield significantly different behaviour during the freezing stage and therefore significantly affect the densification behaviour, an effect not apparent when using the Shanti model. In addition, and equally important, a modification of the macropores morphology is induced by the evolution of the solvent crystals morphology, and resulting in smaller and more intricate crystals and macropores which facilitates the densification. The radius of curvature is probably also an essential parameter controlling the densification of ice-templated ceramics.