𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 : 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭. Many engineers treat porosity as a sign of poor-quality ceramics. In reality, some ceramic systems are intentionally designed with controlled porosity. Without porosity: • Insulation performance collapses • Thermal shock resistance may reduce • Weight increases • Heat storage increases • Thermal gradients become more severe The real question is not: “Is porosity present?” The real question is: “What type of porosity exists — and is it compatible with the application?” Closed pores and open pores behave very differently. High open porosity can increase: • Slag penetration • Moisture absorption • Corrosion sensitivity • Mechanical weakness But controlled closed porosity can improve: • Insulation efficiency • Thermal shock behaviour • Weight reduction • Energy efficiency This is why insulating refractories intentionally contain large pore volumes. Dense ceramics and porous ceramics...