The dependence of pore size distribution on porosity in hot isostatically pressed porous alumina

Pore size distributions in porous alumina bodies produced by the capsule-free hot isostatic pressing technique have been determined experimentally. The distribution of pore diameter has been found to be dependent on the size of the pre-sintered powders and the amount of open porosity in the sintered body. An empirical model has been developed to predict the modal pore size as a function of median particle size and open porosity. The pore size distributions were found to widen with reduced porosity. They were also shown to be positively skewed. The skew reduced with decreasing porosity. The pore size variation with porosity for specimens produced with a sintering aid could not be described by the same mathematical functions developed for specimens produced by solid-state sintering.