Determination of the Pore-Size Distribution in Porous Metal Bodies

Abstract

THE pore-size distribution of a porous metal body can be defined in three ways, namely, those given by the expressions ∂V/∂r, ∂α/∂r and ∂N/∂r, where r is the ‘radius’ of the pore and ∂V, ∂α. and ∂N respectively represent volume, permeability and number of pores associated with the pore-size interval r to (r + ∂r). ∂V/∂r may be determined by observing the capillary rise of a liquid in a narrow strip of the material. If h is the capillary rise, a simple equation relates h to r, and ∂V/∂h is readily determined by breaking the strip at h₁ h₂, h₃ … and weighing the pieces to ascertain the values of V corresponding to the sections (h₁—0), (h₂—h₁), (h₃–h₂)….