Particle-Stabilized foams for advanced ceramic component production

Abstract

The morphology of alumina gelcast ceramic foams is influenced by surfactant concentration and chain length. The surfactants cause the ceramic particles to become hydrophobic and stabilize air bubbles introduced by beating. The microstructure transforms from closed pore (bubble) morphology to open pore (granular) morphology as surfactant concentration is increased. The influence of the contact angle is less significant than the influence of the particle aggregate size (and suspension viscosity) on determining the transition from bubble-like to granular morphology. © 2012 The Chemical Society of Japan.