ZrO2 ceramics with aligned pore structure by EPD and their characterisation by X-ray computed tomography

Using the electrolytic gas generation during the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from aqueous suspensions, planar zirconia green bodies with unidirectionally aligned pore channels were produced. Number, diameter distribution, and arrangement of the pore channels could be controlled by the experimental conditions such as the electrolyte content of the suspension, the applied electric field strength, and the kind of the deposition electrode. The green bodies were sintered at 1450 °C in air. Besides optical microscopy and mercury porosimetry, X-ray computed tomography was used for characterising the porous samples. The CT investigations were well suited for this purpose because they enabled a three-dimensional characterisation of the pore structure by a non-destructive method.