porometrów

Porometry are scientific instruments used to measure pore size distribution within a material. They are crucial for understanding the characteristics of porous substances across various fields, including materials science, geology, and manufacturing. These devices operate on the principle of forcing a fluid, typically a non-wetting liquid like mercury, into the pores of a sample under increasing pressure. The amount of fluid that penetrates the pores at each pressure increment is measured.

The fundamental theory behind porometry is the Washburn equation, which relates the applied pressure to the radius of the pore being penetrated. This equation is P = -2γ cos(θ) / r, where P is the applied pressure, γ is the surface tension of the non-wetting liquid, θ is the contact angle between the liquid and the pore wall, and r is the pore radius. By systematically increasing the pressure, a porometer can map out the distribution of pore sizes, from the largest to the smallest accessible pores.

Mercury intrusion porometry is a common technique, utilizing mercury's high surface tension and low contact angle with most solids. Other methods might employ gas intrusion or capillary pressure measurements. The data generated by porometers provides valuable insights into a material's porosity, permeability, surface area, and overall structural integrity, influencing its performance in applications ranging from filtration and catalyst supports to drug delivery systems and construction materials.