Ickeporösa

Ickeporösa is a term used in materials science to describe materials that are effectively non-porous, possessing negligible pore volume and extremely low permeability. The term combines the Swedish prefix icke- meaning “not” with porösa meaning “porous.” In standard usage, ickeporösa denotes dense, homogeneous matrices where pores are minimized by processing methods such as sintering, casting, or vitrification.

Properties of ickeporösa materials include high density, low open porosity, reduced diffusivity of gases and liquids, and excellent barrier performance. Their microstructure is characterized by tightly packed grains and the absence of interconnected pore networks. The lack of porosity contributes to high density and often superior barrier performance, but depending on material and processing, may influence thermal and mechanical properties.

Applications for ickeporösa materials span protective coatings, corrosion barriers, packaging films, vacuum seals, and components requiring impermeability. In filtration and catalysis, non-porous materials are used as supports or as impermeable barriers rather than as pore-forming media.

Measurement and terminology involve distinguishing porosity as open versus closed. Ickeporösa implies porosity values near zero. Methods used to assess porosity and related properties include density measurements, helium pycnometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and gas permeation tests. Imaging techniques such as X-ray computed tomography can reveal microcracks or isolated pores that affect apparent impermeability.

Related terms include dense, non-porous, and impermeable materials, contrasted with porous materials that are described by pore size distributions. See also porosity, permeability, and diffusion.