The analysis of morphology of G2 ceramic funnels with the use of computer tomography

Two types of funnels were purchased and analysed: G2 funnels with the diameter of 30 and 65 mm denoted as F3 and F6, respectively. The symbol describes their theoretical average size of pores. For G2, the pore size should be in the range of 0.04 - 0.1 mm. The chemical analysis of Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (not shown here) revealed that the funnels are made of zirconium(IV) oxide.

Figures 1 and 2 show the computer tomography analysis of the F3 and F6 funnels, respectively. A tomograph scans the material at different angles and measures the thickness of each phase; here solid and air gaps - voids.

The results are compiled in the graph presented in Figure 3. The measured average size of the pores are 0.07 ± 0.03 mm and 0.09 ± 0.04 mm for the F3 and F6 samples, respectively. The detected pore size differs between the two types of funnels but they are still within the G2 range.