Strength and Permeability of a Porous Material Based on Submicron Titanium Carbide Powder

A highly porous material based on submicron titanium carbide powder has been prepared using a pore former. General mechanisms underlying the formation of the pore structure of the material have been identified as functions of the volume fraction of the pore former and sintering temperature, varied in the ranges 75-85% and 1200-1500 degrees C, respectively. Increasing the porosity of the material has been shown to raise its permeability and reduce its strength. At a given porosity, raising the sintering temperature from 1200 to 1500 degrees C allows a material with higher permeability to be obtained, which is accompanied by an increase in its strength.