Fabrication of Ni-NiO Foams by Powder Metallurgy Technique and Study of Bulk Crushing Strength

Despite the importance of Nickel Oxide (NiO) in diverse functional applications, very little information is available on the mechanical properties of bulk or porous NiO or, mostly unnoticed. In this study, porous Ni-NiO foam was synthesized using space holding-powder metallurgy and sintering methods to produce opened-cell structure with macrogravel and Neolamarckia cadamba (Cadamba flower) like surface morphology. Four different types of porous Ni-NiO with different pore diameter of 35.65 ± 12.77, 36.10 ± 8.85, 68.20 ±7.36 and 62.45 ± 17.48 µm were fabricated for evaluating the effect of porosity on the mechanical properties of bulk porous Ni-NiO foam. The mechanical properties such as bulk crushing force of as synthesized Ni-NiO foam with various porosities such as 20.55, 27.35, 27.85 and 28.82 % exhibited the average crushing load of 115.40, 39.95, 138.10 and 151.20 N, respectively. This study suggests that crushing load of Ni-NiO foam is not only depending on the porosity but also on the sintering temperature and crystallite sizes of NiO. HIGHLIGHTS Ni-NiO foam is synthesized using space holding-powder metallurgy and sintering methods Different pore diameter is fabricated for evaluating the effect of porosity on the mechanical properties of bulk porous Ni-NiO foam Crushing strength of Ni-NiO foam is not only depending on the porosity but also on the sintering temperature and crystallite sizes of NiO GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT