Preparation and characterization of permeability and mechanical properties of three-dimensional porous stainless steel

Abstract

Porous materials are indispensable in biomedical and chemical catalysis fields, but it is still a challenging task to fabricate them with excellent permeability and mechanical properties at the same time. Herein, a new type of three-dimensional porous stainless steel (3DPSS) was fabricated by compression moulding and vacuum sintering. The pore size distribution, air permeability, and mechanical properties of 3DPSS were studied. The results indicated that the radial air permeability reached 3.1 × 10⁻¹¹ m², which was approximately 19.7 times greater than the axial air permeability. Interestingly, the axial compressive strength was 91.3% higher than the radial compressive strength and reached 1249 MPa, which was significantly better than that of conventional porous stainless steel and porous titanium as well as porous high entropy alloys. The main characteristics of 3DPSS fracture were metallurgical bonding surface fracture, necking fracture and shear fracture of the wire mesh. This study provides an effective method for the preparation of three-dimensional porous materials, which is convenient for industrial production. It is of great significance to expand the potential application range of porous materials, in particular in fields requiring comprehensive permeability and mechanical properties.