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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Microwave-Hydrothermal Synthesis of Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} Nanoparticles: Sintering Temperature Effect on Structural, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties

Herein, we report a facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the preparation of yttrium iron garnet (YIG, Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12})nanocrystals and realized the synergy between its structural and magnetic properties. The as-prepared powder thermal stability was characterized in detail by using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The synthesized powder was microwave sintered at six different temperatures ranging from 973 to 1373 K for 60 min and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Magnetic properties were investigated by vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) studies. The frequency variation of dielectric and magnetic properties was measured in the frequency range of 100 kHz–1.8 GHz. The observed magnetic and dielectric parameters such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, permeability, linewidth, dielectric constant and magnetodielectric losses are strongly affected by sintering temperature. The saturation magnetization and coercivity of YIG were found in the range 14.4–28.0 emu/g and 35–87 Oe, respectively. Furthermore, the FMR linewidth decreases from 844 to 204 Oe. This analysis undoubtedly demonstrates that the synthesis method and sintering temperature have the prominent effect on the electrical and magnetic properties of YIG and would be very useful for the garnet-based microwave device applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Comparative Study of Magnetocaloric Effect in La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.20}Sr{sub 0.13}MnO{sub 3} Manganite Prepared by Sol-Gel Method and Spark Plasma Sintering

The La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.20}Sr{sub 0.13}MnO{sub 3} nanoparticles and bulks were prepared by using sol-gel method (SGM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS), respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates each sample crystal in a single rhombohedral perovskite structure (space group R 3-bar c). The Curie temperature is slightly improved and the phase transition is sharpened after processing with SPS. The enhancement of magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is also observed in the samples prepared by SPS. For a field change of 3 T, the maximum isothermal entropy change is improved by 32 and 117% when different sintering temperatures and sintering pressures are applied. The magnetic phase transition and MCE can be well described by the Landau theory. The present studies suggest that the perovskite bulks prepared by SPS could be useful for the application of magnetic refrigeration.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Structure and Properties of VT6 Alloy Obtained by Layered Selective Sintering of a Powder

This paper is focused on a clarification and analysis of the regularities of formation of the structure and properties of samples of the titanium-based alloy VT6, obtained by methods of conventional metallurgy and formed by layered selective electron-beam sintering in vacuum (using the Arcam A2X (3D printer) system (Arcam, Sweden)) of VT6 titanium powder with particle size 40–100 μm. Additional modification of the samples was realized by irradiating the surface with an intense pulsed electron beam (15 keV, 45 J/cm{sup 2}, 200 μs, 10 pulses, 0.3 s{sup –1}, 3.5·10{sup –2} Pa). It is shown that the action of a pulsed electron beam on the surface of samples formed by layered selective electron-beam sintering leads to a significant reduction in the porosity of the surface layer of the material and formation in the surface layer of a polycrystalline structure (grain size 15–60 μm) with a substructure in the form of crystallization cells (cell size 0.5–1.2 μm). Electron-beam processing of samples prepared by methods of conventional metallurgy for the indicated electron-beam parameters leads to the formation in the surface layer of a polycrystalline structure (grain size 50–800 μm) with a laminar intragrain substructure. Mechanical tests, performed by stretching flat samples, showed that the highest combination of mechanical strength and plasticity is possessed by samples obtained by layered selective electron-beam sintering with subsequent irradiation by an intense pulsed electron beam.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tensile Properties and Fracture Characteristics of Nanostructured Copper and Cu-SiC Nanocomposite Produced by Mechanical Milling and Spark Plasma Sintering Process

The presence of large grains within nanometric and ultrafine grain matrix is an effective method in order to enhance strength while keeping the high ductility of metals. For this purpose, in this research, spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used to consolidate milled Cu and Cu-SiC powders. In SPS process, local sparks with high temperature between particles take place and locally lead to intense grain growth, and therefore, this method has the ability to produce bimodal grain structures in copper and copper-based composites. Microstructural and mechanical studies showed ≈ 185 and ≈ 437 nm matrix grain sizes, high tensile yield strength values of ≈ 188.4 and ≈ 296.9 MPa, and fracture strain values of 15.1 and 6.7% for sintered Cu and Cu-4 vol.% SiC nanocomposite materials, respectively. The presence of nanoparticles promoted the occurrence of static recrystallization and decreased the fraction of coarse grains in microstructure. The high tensile properties of the produced materials are attributed to fine grain size, homogenous dispersion of nanoparticles and retarded grain boundary migration during sintering.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thermophysical Properties of High-Frequency Induction Heat Sintered Graphene Nanoplatelets/Alumina Ceramic Functional Nanocomposites

This paper concerns the thermophysical properties of high-frequency induction heat (HFIH) sintered alumina ceramic nanocomposites containing various graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) concentrations. The GNP/alumina nanocomposites demonstrated high densities, fine-grained microstructures, highest fracture toughness and hardness values of 5.7 MPa m{sup 1/2} and 18.4 GPa, which found 72 and 8%, superior to the benchmarked monolithic alumina, respectively. We determine the role of GNP in tuning the microstructure and inducing toughening mechanisms in the nanocomposites. The sintered monolithic alumina exhibited thermal conductivity value of 24.8 W/mK; however, steady drops of 2, 15 and 19% were recorded after adding respective GNP contents of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% in the nanocomposites. In addition, a dwindling trend in thermal conductions with increasing temperatures was recorded for all sintered samples. Simulation of experimental results with proven theoretical thermal models showed the dominant role of GNP dispersions, microstructural porosity, elastic modulus and grain size in controlling the thermal transport properties of the GNP/alumina nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the nanocomposite with up to 0.5 mass% of GNP is thermally stable at the temperatures greater than 875 °C. The GNP/alumina nanocomposites owning a distinctive combination of mechanical and thermal properties are promising contenders for the specific components of the aerospace engine and electronic devices having contact with elevated temperatures.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Tailoring Microstructure and Properties of a Superelastic Ti–Ta Alloy by Incorporating Spark Plasma Sintering with Thermomechanical Processing

A powder metallurgy Ti–35 at.% Ta alloy was produced using a spark plasma sintering process. The sintered alloy exhibited Ta-rich regions at a sintering temperature of 1100 °C. Complete diffusion of elemental powders was achieved via homogenization heat treatment at 1500 °C for 12 h, but the ductility declined drastically. The brittle behavior of the homogenized sample was due to the high-oxygen content, continuous grain boundary α-phase and high-angle grain boundaries. Excellent mechanical properties were achieved when hot forging was used along with preheating the homogenized specimen at 1100 °C. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon were suppression of the solid grain boundary α-phase, high fraction of low-angle grain boundaries and dynamic recrystallization. Tensile strength improved to the maximum value of 868 MPa. The strain recovery ratio increased to 90% in the first cycle during a cyclic loading–unloading test. Incomplete strain recovery of the first cycle was due to the presence of the martensite phase (α″).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of B{sub 4}C-Blended M3:2 High-Speed Steel Powders Consolidated by Sintering and Heat Treatment

Water-atomized powders of M3:2 high-speed steel (HSS) were blended with B{sub 4}C and consolidated by cold press sintering. With the addition of B{sub 4}C (~ 0.2 vol.%), satisfactory mechanical properties were achieved for HSS by sintering at a temperature as low as 1190 °C [e.g., 53.2 ± 0.2 in the Rockwell hardness (HRC) and 3074 ± 56 MPa in bending strength]. High relative density (98.5%) and good strength were attributed to the mechanism described as follows: First, the atoms of boron and carbon escaped after the reaction between B{sub 4}C and iron matrix. Then, the sintered HSS was strengthened by boron atoms while they were distributed in M{sub 6}C or MC carbides and iron matrix. Second, a plenty of M{sub 6}C carbides were formed due to the release of carbon atoms. As a result, the value of solidus temperature was reduced. In addition, mechanical properties were greatly improved by heat treatment (quenching and tempering) (e.g., 61.2 ± 0.3 in HRC, 4356 ± 64 MPa in bending strength, and 42.3 ± 0.5 MPa m{sup 1/2} in fracture toughness, respectively).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

In situ probing of interfacial roughness and transient phases during ceramic cold sintering process

The ceramic cold sintering process (CSP) offers an eco-friendly approach to producing fully dense ceramics at low temperatures. However, an incomplete mechanistic understanding hinders its optimization and widespread adoption. In this study, we analyze the microstructural and structural changes in ZnO, a model CSP system, using in situ synchrotron-based high-energy small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray diffraction techniques. Our results reveal the time evolution of ZnO particles' surface area and roughness, reflecting the dissolution and re precipitation processes that enable densification. The in situ measurements supply valuable kinetic data for these stages of CSP. Alongside microstructural changes and densification, we observed the evolution of secondary phases representing reaction products between ZnO and acetic acid, the solvent used. The initial ZnO/solvent mixture's dominant secondary phase is attributed to zinc acetate, which is gradually replaced by a zinc soap-type structure during CSP. This structure has a large (≈ 21 Å) lattice parameter and is assumed to have a layered nature. The formation of this soap phase, which is retained in the sintered product as an intergranular component, appears to be a signature of successful cold sintering as it facilitates mass transport, leading to densification. Here, our study underscores the potential of in situ synchrotron characterization for revealing microstructural and phase-evolution details during CSP. These findings, which would be challenging to obtain through ex situ measurements, provide crucial data to guide and validate theoretical models, ultimately enhancing CSP's effectiveness and adoption.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrochemical grand potential-based phase-field simulation of electric field-assisted sintering

Here, an electrochemical grand potential functional was proposed to describe the sintering of an ionic ceramic green body. The resultant phase-field description enables simulation of the consolidation of an arbitrary number of granular particles and their interactions with the surrounding void phase. The model includes the effects of charged vacancies and the associated interactions between internal and applied electric fields. Defect segregation to grain boundaries is also accounted for, as well as enhanced interfacial defect mobilities. The model was parameterized for Y 2 O 3 . Simulations of two-particle systems showed that the applied electric field had an increasingly important impact on neck growth as particle size increased. A sudden rapid increase in temperature occurred for larger field strengths, which has been reported to be correlated to the onset of a flash event in flash sintering. Simulations of many particles showed that internal heat generation by Joule heating was localized at particle–particle contacts (grain boundaries), even though their conductivities were lower than nearby internal particle-void interfaces. A percolative path for ionic charge across the green body and the ceramic sintered solid was thus defined, accelerating the Joule heating process as the porosity of the green body is removed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Densification of W–Ni–Fe powders using laser sintering

In this paper, Laser Sintering (LS) of 90%W–7%Ni–3%Fe (wt.%) powders have been investigated, with the goal to understand the influence of final density by laser power, scanning speed, laser trace width, and the number of scanning passes. The results suggest that the laser power and scanning speed are the most important factors influencing density; the influence of trace width and number of scanning passes are not significant. With the increase of laser power and decrease of scanning speed, higher density can be achieved. Additionally, the microstructure analysis indicated that the porosity changed from open porosity to closed porosity with higher laser energy input. Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis shows that during the sintering process, W was not melted but dissolved into the Ni–Fe matrix. Contact flattening and grain accommodation of W grains have been observed. It suggests that both rearrangement and solution-reprecipitation mechanisms are responsible for the densification. The sintered density with respect to laser power and scanning speed was modeled by continuum modeling theory and compared with experimental results.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mechanically strengthened heterogeneous Sm-Co sintered magnets

Samarium-cobalt sintered magnets offer excellent magnetic properties, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance. They are used in a variety of defense and civilian applications, especially when elevated operation temperatures (e.g., 200 ºC to 550 ºC) are required. However, the utilization of these materials is restricted by their brittleness. Improving their mechanical resilience would make them more cost-effective, efficient, and robust in decarbonization and other function-related applications while reducing the pressure on critical material supply chains. In this paper, we engineer a series of novel heterogeneous microstructures, such as laminated coarse grain (CG)/fine grain (FG) and core/shell CG/FG microstructures, to produce unprecedented combinations of superior mechanical and magnetic properties without altering the chemical compositions of the magnets or common heat treatment procedures. Further, a 60% flexural strength enhancement is obtained using heterogeneous Sm 2 (CoFeCuZr) 17 sintered magnets with little impact on their magnetic properties. The mechanically robust heterogeneous Sm-Co sintered magnets have a minor (e.g., less than 4.6%) reduction in the energy product (BH) max due to a slightly reduced squareness of the demagnetization curve, with no decrease in either the remanence (B r ) or the intrinsic coercivity (H ci ). The flexural strengths of these heterogeneous Sm-Co magnets depend on the volume ratios and mean grain sizes of the FG/CG regions, as well as their microstructural architectures. The fine-grained regions act as mechanical strengthening sites, which can be strategically used when designing the magnet for different applications. This technology is highly compatible with existing magnet manufacturing processes and thus can be adopted readily by the magnet industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mechanically robust high magnetic-performance Sm-Co sintered magnets through microstructure engineering

Samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) sintered magnets have high magnetic energy densities, great resistance to demagnetization and corrosion, and excellent thermal stability in a wide temperature range (–50–550 °C). However, the utilization of these magnets is restricted by their brittleness. Based on micromechanical and the Zener pinning model, Sm-Co sintered magnets with improved mechanical properties have been designed and fabricated via microstructure engineering. A small amount of fine Sm 2 O 3 particulates (0–3 wt%) has been incorporated into Sm 2 (CoFeCuZr) 17 sintered magnets to refine the grain size by up to approximately 50% (from 45 to 22 µm) and narrow the grain size distribution. Doping with 3 wt% Sm 2 O 3 increased the flexural strength by 62% while maintaining magnetic performance. Both grain-refined unimodal microstructure and heterogeneous laminated coarse/fine grain microstructure were formed by strategically designed assemblies of Sm 2 O 3 -added Sm-Co powder feedstock mixtures. The technology is compatible with existing magnet manufacturing processes. Numerical micromechanics simulation indicates that the fracture is dominated by intragranular mode. The mechanical strength is mainly enhanced by the additive-induced grain refinement, while the small amount of Sm 2 O 3 addition has a small direct positive contribution. Finally, these magnets will be more cost-effective, efficient, and robust for various functional applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Densification of non-radioactive porous siliceous particles loaded with cesium potassium copper hexacyanoferrate by spark plasma sintering

In the development of a conditioning process for cesium-bearing sorbents from the decontamination of aqueous waste streams, the treatment of a granular material composed of (Cs,K) 2 CuFe(CN) 6 loaded onto mesoporous silica particles has been investigated in an additive-free two-step conditioning process involving (i) calcination at 1000 °C to remove volatile species and (ii) densification by spark plasma sintering. A 92.0 % dense pellet was obtained after 10 min sintering at 850 °C under 100 MPa. Density and microstructural measurements indicate that densification is first driven by the viscous flow of a vitreous phase containing Cs, formed during calcination. Additionally, the density of the sample then increases further during sintering by grain boundary diffusion. However, a limited but non negligible part of cesium is lost during densification.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synthesis, sintering, and grain growth kinetics of Hf 6 Ta 2 O 17

Here Aasystematic study of the solid-state synthesis, pressureless sintering, and grain growth kinetics of Hf 6 Ta 2 O 17 is presented. The ideal conditions for solids-state synthesis of Hf 6 Ta 2 O 17 powder with minimal particle necking was 1250 °C for 2 h in air. The resultant powder has an average particle size of 210 ± 70 nm. The combined synthesis and ball-milling procedure produces highly sinterable Hf 6 Ta 2 O 17 powder, achieving > 97 % of theoretical density after pressureless sintering at 1600 °C for 2 h in air. The grain growth mechanism was sensitive to processing conditions, appearing to be primarily driven by surface diffusion below 1600 °C and grain boundary diffusion above 1650 °C. The respective activation energies for grain growth were found to be Q S = 659 ± 79 kJ mol -1 and Q GB = 478 ± 63 kJ mol -1 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Internal defect detection and characterization of samarium-cobalt sintered magnets by ultrasonic testing technique

Excessive quantities of samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) magnet material are being scrapped needlessly due to a lack of understanding of inhomogeneity distribution and unacceptable internal defects. If there is a way to identify, locate, characterize and when needed separate the defective portions of magnet material, utilization can be increased and product quality improved. Further, the magnets’ magnetic and mechanical performance can be improved by reducing the occurrence of internal defects. This paper reports on a cost-effective and efficient nondestructive evaluation method based on an ultrasonic testing (UT) technique applied for detecting and characterizing internal defects in Sm-Co sintered magnets. Applying the UT technique will allow users to comprehensively analyze internal defects, such as inclusions, porosity, microcracks, and other structural irregularities, check for homogeneity and anomalous regions and give the locations of these internal anomalies and defects within the Sm-Co sintered magnets. The UT technique can also be applied to other rare-earth permanent magnets, such as sintered or die-upset neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets. The UT technique can effectively guide quality control and acceptable product selection, in addition to optimizing the magnet alloy design and production processes. Therefore, it can facilitate the improvement of magnet manufacturing efficiency and machinability, reduce scrap, prolong service life, increase the use of what would be post-production waste, and enhance product reuse and recycling at end-of-life disposition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effect of phosphorus additions on the sintering and transport properties of proton conducting BaZr{sub 0.85}Y{sub 0.15}O{sub 3-{delta}}

The influence of phosphorous additions on the sintering and electrical transport properties of the proton-conducting perovskite BaZr{sub 0.85}Y{sub 0.15}O{sub 3-{delta}} (BZY) has been studied with a view to the use of phosphates as typical dispersants for the formation of stabilised solid suspensions or as possible sintering aids. P{sub 2}O{sub 5} additions, (1-x)BZY{center_dot}xP{sub 2}O{sub 5}, monotonously promote densification in the intermediate compositional range 0.04{<=}x{<=}0.08. Nonetheless, BZY reacts with phosphorous forming the phase Ba{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2} at temperatures as low as 600 Degree-Sign C. The associated loss of Ba from the perovskite, leads to a decrease in the perovskite lattice parameter, the formation of yttria-based impurity phases and impaired grain growth. Such reaction has an extremely detrimental effect on bulk and grain boundary conductivities. It is, therefore, vital that the current results are taken into account by the protonics community when attempting to prepare the stabilised solid suspensions of BZY nanopowders required for thin ceramic applications. Alternative dispersants to phosphate esters must be found. - Graphical Abstract: Sintering experiments performed at 1500 Degree-Sign C for 5 h and at 1400 Degree-Sign C for 24 h of (1-x)BaZr{sub 0.85}Y{sub 0.15}O{sub 3-{delta}}{center_dot}xP{sub 2}O{sub 5} in the range x=0-0.10. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer P{sub 2}O{sub 5} additions, (1-x)BZY{center_dot}xP{sub 2}O{sub 5}, promote densification in the intermediate compositional range 0.04{<=}x{<=}0.08. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BZY reacts with phosphorous forming the phase Ba{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2} at temperatures as low as 600 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Detrimental effects on bulk and grain boundary conductivities are shown. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Alternative dispersants to phosphate esters must be found.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Gallium composition dependence of crystallographic and thermoelectric properties in polycrystalline type-I Ba{sub 8}Ga{sub x}Si{sub 46-x} (nominal x=14-18) clathrates prepared by combining arc melting and spark plasma sintering methods

The gallium composition dependence of crystallographic and thermoelectric properties in polycrystalline n-type Ba{sub 8}Ga{sub x}Si{sub 46-x} (nominal x=14-18) compounds with the type-I clathrate structure is presented. Samples were prepared by combining arc melting and spark plasma sintering methods. Powder x-ray diffraction, Rietveld analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy show that the solubility limit of gallium in the type-I clathrate phase is close to x=15, which is slightly higher than that for a single crystal. The carrier concentration at room temperature decreases from 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 21} cm{sup -3} to 4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} cm{sup -3} as the Ga content x increases. The Seebeck coefficient, the electrical conductivity, and the thermal conductivity vary systematically with the carrier concentration when the Ga content x varies. The effective mass (2.0m{sub 0}), the carrier mobility (10 cm{sup 2} V{sup -1} s{sup -1}), and the lattice thermal conductivity (1.1 W m{sup -1} K{sup -1}) are determined for the Ga content x=14.51. The dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is about 0.55 at 900 K for the Ga content x=14.51. The calculation of ZT using the experimentally determined material parameters predicts ZT=0.8 (900 K) at the optimum carrier concentration of about 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} cm{sup -3}. - Graphical abstract: The gallium composition dependence of crystallographic and thermoelectric properties is presented on polycrystalline n-type Ba{sub 8}Ga{sub x}Si{sub 46-x} with the type-I clathrate structure prepared by combining arc melting and spark plasma sintering methods. The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT reaches 0.55 at 900 K due to the increase in the Ga content (close to x=15), and a calculation predicts further improvement of ZT at the optimized carrier concentration. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystallographic properties of Ba{sub 8}Ga{sub x}Si{sub 46-x} clathrates are characterized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Arc melting and spark plasma sintering process enables increase of Ga content. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We elucidate the Ga composition dependence of thermoelectric properties. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is improved due to the increased Ga content. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Calculation predicts a potential ZT=0.8 at 900 K at optimized carrier concentration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Evaluation of suitable porosity for sintered porous {beta}-tricalcium phosphate as a bone substitute

Structural and mechanical characterization is performed for sintered porous beta tricalcium phosphate ({beta}-TCP) to determine the appropriate porosity for use as a bone substitute. Four different types of porous {beta}-TCP specimen with different porosities are fabricated through a sintering process. For structural characterization, scanning electron microscopy and a Microfocus X-ray computed tomography system are used to investigate the pore openings on the specimen's surface, pore size, pore distribution, and pore interconnections. Compression tests of the specimens are performed, and mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus and compressive strength are obtained. Also, the geometric shape and volume of the {beta}-TCP around the contact region of two pores, which need to be initially resolved after implantation in order to increase the size of the pore openings, are evaluated through simple calculations. The results show that porous {beta}-TCP with 42.1% porosity may be a suitable bone substitute candidate in terms of sustaining external loads, and inducing and cultivating bone cells. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Structural and mechanical characterization was performed for sintered porous {beta}-TCP specimens. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer For structural characterization, SEM and Microfocus X-ray CT system were used. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer For mechanical characterization, compression tests were performed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Porous {beta}-TCP with 42.1% porosity may be a suitable bone substitute.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗