Abstract
The effect of fabrication variables and microstructures on the compressive strength of open cell alumina zirconia and silicon nitride ceramics fabricated by polymeric sponge method was investigated. Bulk density and compressive strength of open cell ceramics were mainly affected by coating characteristics of ceramic slurry on polymeric sponge that controlled a shape thickness and defect of the struts. Sintering temperature was optimized for enhancement of strut strength and compressive strength of open cell ceramics. Relative density and compressive strength behaviors were relatively well matched with the predicted values. Open cell ceramics of lower relative density below 0.1 prepared by first relatively well matched with the predicted values. Open cell ceramics of lower relative density below 0.1 prepared by first coating of ceramic slurry had thin triangular prismatic struts that were often broken or longitudinally cracked. With an application of second coating of slurry shape of struts was transformed into thickner cylindrical one and defects in struts were healed but the relative density increased over 0.2 Open cell zirconia had both the highest bulk density and compressive strength and alumina had the lowest compressive strength while silicon nitrides showed relatively high compressive strength and the lowest density. Based upon the analysis open cell silicon nitride was expected to be one of potential structural ceramics with light weight.