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Characterization of Low Density Carbon Foams by X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Ion Microtomography (IMT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2011

W. E. Moddeman
Affiliation:
EG&G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH 45343
D. P. Kramer
Affiliation:
EG&G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH 45343
D. W. Firsich
Affiliation:
EG&G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH 45343
P. D. Trainer
Affiliation:
EG&G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH 45343
R. N. Yancy
Affiliation:
ARACOR, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433
D. L. Weirup
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551
C. M. Logan
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551
A. E. Pontau
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratory/Livermore, Livermore, CA 94551
A. J. Antolak
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratory/Livermore, Livermore, CA 94551
D. H. Morse
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratory/Livermore, Livermore, CA 94551
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Abstract

Two NDT techniques were used to characterize low-density, microcellular, carbon foams fabricated from a salt replica process. The two techniques are x-ray computed tomography (CT) and ion microtomography (IMT); data are presented on carbon foams that contain high-density regions. The data show that densities which differ by <10% are easily observable for these low density (<100 mg/cm3) materials. The data reveal that the carbon foams produced by this replica process have small density variations; the density being ∼30% greater at the outer edges than when compared to the interior of the foam. In addition, the density gradient is found to be rather sharp, that is the density drops-off rapidly from the outer edges to a uniform one in the interior of the foam. This edge build-up in carbon density was explained in terms of polymer concentrating on the foam exterior during drying which immediately followed a polymer infusion processing step. Supporting analytical data from other techniques show the foam material to be >99.9 % carbon

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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References

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