What is a porous metal?

Porous metal is a metal material that has small pores and has both the characteristics of porous and metal. It possesses various functions depending on the pore shape and the material. Therefore, it is expected to be used in a wide range of fields.

Conductivity

High conductivity remains in porous metal. Because of its high surface area and conductivity, it is studied to apply as fuel cell electrodes and so on.

Studies about its application for fuel cells are ongoing
Studies about its application for fuel cells are ongoing.

Ventilation

Open cell type porous metal is connected to the voids and has fluid permeability. Utilising this characteristic, applications as catalyst filters and impurity filtration membrane are researched.

Porous metal filter
Porous metal filter

Thermal conductivity

Utilising a high surface area and thermal conductivity, it is researched for heat exchange applications.

Application for heat exchanger is being investigated
Application for heat exchanger is being investigated.

Energy absorption

Since closed cell type porous metal is light in weight yet keeping its strength, it is researched for practical use as an energy absorbing (shock absorbing) material for automobiles.

Porous metal for crush box in automobile
Porous metal for crush box in automobile

Sound insulation

Closed cell type porous metal has excellent sound insulation and/or sound absorption because of its layers of independent cells.

Alu-porous for sound absorption
Alu-porous for sound absorption

Our porous metal products

Bulk body

It is manufactured by applying our µ-MIM technology, using materials forming pores after the sintering process. TAISEI KOGYO responds to enquiries about material, shape and porosity.

Bulk body
  • [Material] Stainless steel, Titanium, Nickel, etc.
  • [Pore diameter] up to several tens of µm
  • [Porosity] up to several tens%
  • (The water absorption treatment as follows is also possible)

Water-absorbing non-woven metal sheet

This is a metal sheet formed by sintered metal fibres into a non-woven structure and applying a special water absorption treatment.
It is capable of absorbing and retaining liquid by capillary action while maintaining gas permeability, regardless of the porosity. Taisei Kogyo Co., Ltd. responds to inquiries about applicable material, shape and porosity.

Water-absorbing non-woven metal sheet
  • [Material] Stainless steel, Titanium, Copper, Nickel, etc.
  • [Size] 400mm² at maximum, Thickness 0.1-5.0mm
  • [Porosity] 50-80%
  • (Available without water absorption treatment)

Titanium foam

This is a porous titanium with high porosity by sub-millimetre. Machining is applicable because of its high compression strength.

High porosity titanium foam
High porosity titanium foam
Porous in millimetre delivers features such as impregnation of liquid with high viscosity and resin as well as pressure drop which might be applied for some particular components.
  • [Material] Titanium (nickel, stainless steel, etc. are also available) etc.
  • [Size] Approx. 85mm² / 300mm², Thickness 9mm
  • [Porosity] Approx. 90%