Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry.

 

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SC11 - Mercury Porosimetry (intrusion cycle)

SC11A - Mercury Porosimetry (intrusion and extrusion cycle)

SC11 BD (mercury porosimetry with density and porosity measurement)

Mercury porosimetry is a powerful and accurate analytical technique for the determination of pore size distribution and the measurement of pore volume, pore area and porosity. It can also be extended to the measurement bulk density and skeletal density. A further extension offers permeability and tortuosity measurement (see the permeability link for more information). 

Mercury intrusion porosimetry is provided through our SC11 test. With our SC11 BD test, this can be extended to the measurement of bulk density (mercury displacement density), skeletal density and sample porosity. Our SC11A test includes a mercury extrusion cycle and may form an integral part for ascertaining the nature of porosity. 

MCA Services use a state-of-the-art Micromeritics AutoPore porosimeter, capable of measuring pore size distributions in the approximate range 0.007 μm to 600 μm (depending on the nature of the sample). This, therefore, makes the mercury porosimetry technique suitable for the analysis of meso porous and macro porous materials.

 mercury porosimetry or mercury intrusion porosimetry for porosity determination, porosity measurement and pore size distribution
 Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry showing sample porosity and pore size distribution

Results are generally emailed as PDF files to speed up transmission to the client. In addition, we offer assistance with interpretation of results at no extra charge. MCA Services reports the following data as standard for the SC11 technique:

  • Cumulative area against pore size diameter (graphical) 
  •  Summary of key data 
  • Average pore diameter (by volume and area)
  • Complete tabulated list of data. 
  • Cumulative intrusion against pore size diameter (graphical)
  • Total pore area
  • Differential intrusion Vs pore size diameter (graphical)
  • Average pore size     

Example of pore distribution data by mercury porosimetry

      Mercury porosimetry is applicable to a wide range of sample materials and can be analysed in a variety of forms. MCA Services can generate mercury porosimetry data on a complete range of samples including solids, powders, cores, films and tapes. This analysis can also be combined with the measurement of mercury displacement density, for this option please refer to the section on density measurements.For materials of smaller pore size the SC3 (nitrogen) test is applicable for the typical pore size range 360 nm to 0.55 nm. Alternatively, the two techniques may be combined to provide a pore size distribution throughout the range of pore sizes.

  pore size distribution and porosity determination by mercury porosimetry and mercury intrusion porosimetry
Pore size distribution by mercury porosimetry

Further to the standard report options, it is possible for MCA Services to generate more specialised reports pertinent to porosimetry analysis. For convenience the units pore size and pore volume can be changed to include nm and Angstroms as required. MCA Services have considerable expertise in porosimetry testing and analysis and have often worked alongside clients on specialised projects. 

intrusion porosimetry analysis with mercury porosimetry extrusion for porosity determination, pore volume and pore size distribution testing
             Mercury Porosimetry showing intrusion and extrusion data for porosity characterisation

 

A standard set of specimen data is available on request in PDF format. .