On the development of porous nickel through gelcasting technique

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ABSTRACT

In this study, a slurry-based technique has been developed for the manufacturing of porous nickel structures for capillary pumping systems. The application of porous Ni structures to capillary pumping systems requires porosity levels higher than 40% and pore size diameter lower than 20 μm. Irregular type open pores are observed in the sintered blanks. The porosity level and volume shrinkage decreases and increases with increase in sintering temperature, respectively. The compressive flow stress-strain curves exhibit three distinct regions namely, (i) linear region characterised by elastic modulus, (ii) corresponds to plastic yield and buckling of pore ligaments and (iii) densification region characterised by increasing slope. As the sintering temperature increases, porosity level decreases and resulting in increase in the plateau and densification stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Porous nickel structures
• sintering
• capillary pumping systems

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to the Director, DMRL, for his encouragement and support. Thanks are also due to the colleagues and technical staff of powder metallurgy group (PMG) and those of machining and characterization groups of DMRL for their valuable support and contributions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.