Method for closed pore ceramic

Abstract

A method includes forming a ceramic member that has a plurality of closed pores within a ceramic matrix. The forming includes compacting a ceramic powder to form intra-particle pores between particles of the ceramic powder, and sintering the compacted ceramic powder to cause diffusion of the ceramic powder and formation of the ceramic matrix. The diffusion does not fill the intra-particle pores and leaves the closed pores.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 forming a ceramic member that has a plurality of closed pores within a ceramic matrix, wherein the forming includes
 compacting a ceramic powder to form intra-particle pores between particles of the ceramic powder, and 
 consolidating the compacted ceramic powder to cause diffusion of the ceramic powder and formation of the ceramic matrix, wherein the diffusion does not fill the intra-particle pores and leaves the closed pores. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the compacting compacts the ceramic powder to 40% to 60% theoretical density. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the compacting compacts the ceramic powder to about 50% theoretical density. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the ceramic matrix includes at least one of yttria stabilized zirconia, zirconia, hafnia, gadolinia, molybdenum disulphide, alumina, or mullite. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic member has 20 vol % to 80 vol % of the closed pores. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic member has 33 vol % to 66 vol % of the closed pores. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the ceramic matrix includes at least one of zirconia, hafnia, or gadolinia. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the sintering is partial sintering such that the ceramic powder is less than 100% sintered in the final ceramic member. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the sintering is partial sintering prior to the ceramic powder forming equiaxed ceramic crystals. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 forming a ceramic member that has a plurality of closed pores within a ceramic matrix,   wherein the closed pores are not fluidly interconnected with each other or with a surrounding environment of the ceramic member, and   the forming includes compacting a ceramic powder to 40% to 60% theoretical density, and   sintering the compacted ceramic powder to cause diffusion of the ceramic powder and formation of the ceramic matrix with the closed pores.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the compacting compacts the ceramic powder to about 50% theoretical density. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the ceramic matrix includes at least one of yttria stabilized zirconia, zirconia, hafnia, gadolinia, molybdenum disulphide, alumina, or mullite. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the ceramic member has 33 vol % to 66 vol % of the closed pores. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the sintering is partial sintering prior to the ceramic powder forming equiaxed ceramic crystals. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 forming a ceramic member that has a plurality of closed pores within a ceramic matrix,   wherein the closed pores are not fluidly interconnected with each other or with a surrounding environment of the ceramic member, and   the forming includes compacting a ceramic powder to 40% to 60% theoretical density with intra-particle pores between particles of the ceramic powder, and   partially sintering the compacted ceramic powder to cause diffusion of the ceramic powder and formation of the ceramic matrix, wherein the diffusion does not fill the intra-particle pores and leaves the closed pores.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the compacting compacts the ceramic powder to about 50% theoretical density. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the ceramic matrix includes at least one of zirconia, hafnia, or gadolinia. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the ceramic member has 33 vol % to 66 vol % of the closed pores. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the partial sintering is prior to the ceramic powder forming equiaxed ceramic crystals.