Abstract:
Microspheres of silica having an average diameter of 20mu have been compacted and sintered at 640 degrees C for 3 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs according to an established schedule. The characterization of these porous materials using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultra Small Angle Neutron Scattering (USANS), and density measurements by water displacement is reported here. The SEM micrographs show a variation of pore sizes of widths 2mu-20mu and lengths 2mu-60mu. Ultra SANS data indicate a fractal-like agglomerate structure within these compacts from the power law behavior of scattered intensity over a wide wave vector transfer range.
