An Extended Range Liquid Extrusion Method for Determining Pore Size Distributions

Abstract

A liquid extrusion method for determining pore volume distributions has been developed that is especially useful for, but not restricted to, characterizing fibrous materials. It involves gravimetric monitoring of liquid that drains from an initially saturated sample as incremental increases in pressure gradient are applied across it. Any liquid that wets the material can be used. Using techniques devised for applying an extended range of pressure gradients, it is possible to detect pore radii from 0.5 to 1,000 μm. Results for a variety of substrates show the sensitivity of the method. For example, bimodal distributions obtained for woven fabrics reflect the larger interyarn and smaller intrayarn pores. Advantages and limitations of the method and the meaning and usefulness of the data are discussed.