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Mercury Intrusion Porosimeter
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Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) is a powerful technique used to determine the pore size distribution, pore volume, and porosity of solid materials. The high-performance fully automatic MIP system offers precise and reproducible measurements by automatically controlling pressure, mercury filling, intrusion, and data acquisition.
Introduction
Introduction
Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) is a powerful technique used to determine the pore size distribution, pore volume, and porosity of solid materials. The high-performance fully automatic MIP system offers precise and reproducible measurements by automatically controlling pressure, mercury filling, intrusion, and data acquisition. Key Features:
- Fully automated operation from vacuum to high pressure
- Wide pore diameter range (typically 3 nm to 1000 µm)
- High-resolution pressure control for detailed pore size analysis
- Rapid analysis with high repeatability and low user intervention
- Advanced data analysis for pore size distribution, cumulative volume, and surface area
Principle
Principle
Mercury is a non-wetting liquid to most solids and does not spontaneously enter pores. By applying pressure, mercury is forced into the pores. The pressure required is inversely related to the pore diameter via the Washburn equation: D = -4γ cosθ / P Where:
- D: Pore diameter
- γ: Surface tension of mercury
- θ: Contact angle
- P: Applied pressure
By measuring the volume of mercury intruded at different pressures, a detailed pore size distribution can be obtained.
Test Procedure
Test Procedure
- Sample preparation: Drying and placement into the penetrometer
- Evacuation: Removal of air from the sample chamber
- Mercury filling: Controlled filling of the sample with mercury under vacuum
- Low-pressure intrusion: Up to ~0.2 MPa for larger pores
- High-pressure intrusion: Up to 400 MPa or more for micropores
- Data recording: Mercury volume vs. pressure measured continuously
- Data analysis: Generation of pore size distribution and total porosity
Sample Requirements
Industrial Application
- Sample size: Typically 1–2 g (depends on porosity)
- Form: Solid, dry, and structurally stable materials
- Pre-treatment: Drying at appropriate temperature to remove moisture
- Container: Compatible penetrometer or sample holder supplied by the manufacturer
Application Case
Industrial Application
The instrument is designed for characterizing porosity and structure in a wide range of solid materials.
Typical Sample Types:
- Catalysts and ceramics
- Construction materials (e.g., concrete, cement)
- Filtration membranes and foams
- Battery electrodes and separators
- Pharmaceutical tablets and powders
- Soil, rock, and geological cores
Application Areas:
- Materials science: Microstructure analysis
- Oil & gas: Reservoir characterization
- Pharmaceuticals: Tablet porosity for dissolution studies
- Environmental: Soil permeability and retention capacity
- Energy storage: Pore networks in battery materials
Example Result
| Parameter | Result Example |
|---|---|
| Total intrusion volume | 0.345 mL/g |
| Total porosity | 42.5% |
| Median pore diameter | 1.35 µm |
| Cumulative surface area | 3.42 m²/g |
| Pore size distribution | Bimodal (macro + meso) |
Note: Results depend on material type, density, and sample preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the system, down to ~3–4 nm using high-pressure intrusion.
Yes, powders can be compacted in the penetrometer, but proper packing is essential.
No. Only open, connected pores accessible to mercury are measured.
No. The high pressures and mercury contamination make recovery impractical.
When operated in a sealed and certified instrument with proper ventilation and waste handling, mercury use is safe and compliant with environmental regulations.