Effect of sintering temperature on the fabrication of porous titanium by spark plasma sintering for environmental applications

Abstract

Abstract Porous Titanium (Ti) is a leading material applied in the maritime sector due to its durability, high stability, and resistance to seawater corrosion. In this study, highly porous Ti was fabricated using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process with NaCl as a pore-forming agent. The effects of sintering temperature on the material’s properties were systematically investigated. All samples were sintered under a pressing pressure of 40 MPa for 10 minutes, with sintering temperatures varying from 575 ºC to 675 ºC and a heating rate of 100 ºC /min in a vacuum. The as-sintered samples were characterized for porosity, microstructure, phase composition, elemental distribution, and compressive strength. The results revealed that pore size and porosity gradually decreased as the sintering temperature increased. The sample, sintered at 40 MPa and 575 ºC, demonstrated a high porosity exceeding 60%. The pore size distribution was predominantly within the 50-150 µm range, and the material achieved a compressive strength of approximately 185 MPa. This combination of parameters, along with a uniform, interconnected pore network, provides high mechanical stability, resistance to strong vibrations, and exceptional corrosion resistance. These characteristics make the material a highly promising candidate for filtration applications within Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS). The structure’s ability to withstand high pressure and minimize deformation enhances its efficacy, allowing it to efficiently filter out microorganisms larger than 150 µm, thereby improving the overall performance of ballast water treatment.