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Fractal theory and regression analysis were employed for the first time to investigate the effect of pore size and pore distribution on high-temperature mechanical properties of porous alumina ceramics (PAC). In the present work, PAC with the comparable porosity, different pore sizes and pore distributions were prepared using carbon black as the pore-forming agent. Particular emphasis in this study was placed on the establishment of correlation between the thermal shock resistance and pore properties. The relationship between fractal dimension ( Df) and thermal shock resistance parameter ( Rst) in specimens presented the negative power function, indicating that low Df could benefit the improvement of thermal shock resistance in specimens. The results showed that the increase of pore size and pore sphericity leads to a reduced Df, the enhanced hot modulus of rupture (HMOR) and Rst. The decrease of proportion of micro-pores below 2 µm, the increase of mean pore size and pore sphericity could result in the decrease of Df, and then improve Rst and HMOR of specimens. Based on the correlation between Rst and pore characteristics, PAC with improved thermal shock resistance could be achieved when their pore structure meets the above features.


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Optimal design on the high-temperature mechanical properties of porous alumina ceramics based on fractal dimension analysis

Show Author's information Jingjing LIUa,bWenlong HUOaXiaoyan ZHANGaBo RENa( )Yuanbing LIbZaijuan ZHANGaJinlong YANGa( )
State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China

Abstract

Fractal theory and regression analysis were employed for the first time to investigate the effect of pore size and pore distribution on high-temperature mechanical properties of porous alumina ceramics (PAC). In the present work, PAC with the comparable porosity, different pore sizes and pore distributions were prepared using carbon black as the pore-forming agent. Particular emphasis in this study was placed on the establishment of correlation between the thermal shock resistance and pore properties. The relationship between fractal dimension ( Df) and thermal shock resistance parameter ( Rst) in specimens presented the negative power function, indicating that low Df could benefit the improvement of thermal shock resistance in specimens. The results showed that the increase of pore size and pore sphericity leads to a reduced Df, the enhanced hot modulus of rupture (HMOR) and Rst. The decrease of proportion of micro-pores below 2 µm, the increase of mean pore size and pore sphericity could result in the decrease of Df, and then improve Rst and HMOR of specimens. Based on the correlation between Rst and pore characteristics, PAC with improved thermal shock resistance could be achieved when their pore structure meets the above features.

Keywords: thermal shock resistance, porous alumina ceramics (PAC), pore size, high-temperature mechanical properties, fractal dimension

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Publication history

Received: 13 November 2017
Revised: 20 January 2018
Accepted: 21 January 2018
Published: 02 March 2018
Issue date: June 2018

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© The author(s) 2018

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