Processing of Al2O3 Ceramics with a Porous Cellular Structure

Porous Al2O3 ceramics were prepared by the gelcasting foams method (a slurry foaming process) with acrylamide monomer. The foaming and gelation behavior was investigated with the parameters such as the type and concentration of surfactant, solid loading of slurry, and the concentrations of initiator and catalyst. Density, porosity, microstructure, and strength of the green and sintered samples were characterized. Of the four kinds of surfactants tested, Triton X-114 showed the highest foaming ability for the solid loading of 55-30 vol%. The gelation condition giving the idle time of 3 min was found to set the foamed structure without significant bubble enlargement and liquid lamella thinning. The green samples were fairly strong and machinable and showed maximum strength of 2.4 MPa in diametral compression. The sintered samples showed densities of 10-36% theoretical (i.e. porosity 90-64%) with a highly interconnected network of spherical pores with sizes ranging from 30 to 600 rim. The pore size and connectivity increased but the cell strut thickness decreased with decreasing the solid loading. Flexural strength of 37.8-1.7 MPa was obtained for the sintered samples.