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-fr ee hot isostatic pressing technique have been determined experimentally. Th e 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 dis tributions were found to widen with reduced porosity. They were also shown to be positively skewed. The skew reduced with decreasing porosity. The por e size variation with porosity for specimens produced with a sintering aid could not be described by the same mathematical functions developed for spe cimens produced by solid-state sintering.