U. Mucke et al., The investigation of porosity distribution in a SiC-ceramic using 3D X-raytomography and optical light microscopy, PRAKT METAL, 35(12), 1998, pp. 665-672
The porosity gradients in both the axial and radial directions of unfired a
nd sintered specimens of cylindrical SiC-ceramic bodies manufactured by dry
pressing a commercially available SiC-granulate are investigated using 3D
X-ray tomography. The porosities determined by X-ray tomography of 180 indi
vidual 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.1 mm(3) volume elements of an axially symmetrical Volu
me segment are compared with the porosity fractions determined using optica
l light microscopic image analysis of the same number of fields of measurem
ent, each measuring 0.8 x 0.8 mm(2). Both methods of measurement are shown
to yield broadly similar results in respect of the distribution of porosity
within the sintered SiC-bodies. The investigations demonstrate the ability
of 3D computer tomography to successfully reveal the porosity gradients ex
isting in pressed SIC bodies, caused by the forming process used to produce
them.