M. Norkhairunnisa

Effect of Cu Metal of Nanoscale Particle Size on the Porosity and Mechanical Properties of Porous Alumina Ceramics using Yeast as a Pore Agent

The main goal of this study is to determine the effect of the addition of Cu metal of nanoscale particle on the mechanical properties and porosity of porous alumina ceramics. Porous alumina reinforced ceramics were prepared using nanoscale Cu metal particles as their strengthening phase. Solid state and sacrificial techniques were used to prepare the porous alumina reinforced ceramics. A FESEM was used to analyse the microstructure. Different ratios of Cu metal were added (3 wt%, 6 wt%, 9 wt% and 12 wt% Cu) at different ratios of yeast used as a pore agent. The results indicated that with increasing the ratios of Cu metal, the porosity decreased and the mechanical properties increased. The increase in the mechanical properties could be attributed to the decrease in the porosity and the toughening mechanism of porous alumina ceramics. Some potential applications include, filtration, thermal and purging of gas.