Preparation and characterization of porous alumina ceramics using sunflower seed shells as fugitive material

Abstract Porous alumina ceramics were prepared through the space holder technique, using ground sunflower seed shells as a fugitive material and uniaxial pressing for forming the green ceramics. Influences of the sunflower seed shell content on the shrinkage of the green bodies and porosity of sintered products were evaluated. The prepared ceramics were characterized for mechanical properties using the Brazilian disk test, and the porosity effect on the measured strength was determined. The microstructure was characterized by SEM. The sunflower seed shell content was varied from 0 to 60 wt%. Porosities within 29.9-71.0 vol% were achieved, and the strength of the obtained alumina ceramics decreased accordingly from 59.7 to 4.0 MPa. Additional samples, prepared with different compaction pressure, were characterized for electrical properties and showed high electrical insulation capability, which increased with porosity. Mechanical and electrical data were discussed based on theoretical models, namely the Gibson-Ashby model and/or the minimum solid area model.