Microstructure and anisotropic mechanical properties of freeze dried SrTi0.75Fe0.25O3-δ for oxygen transport membrane substrates

Hierarchically porous SrTi0.75Fe0.25O3-δ specimens were produced through a freeze drying procedure, which yielded a channel-like porosity, reaching a value of 32%. Compressive testing was used to determine apparent elastic modulus and fracture stresses in the transverse (out-of-plane) and longitudinal (in-plane) direction, revealing a strong dependence onto pore orientation. The lower mechanical stability in the in-plane direction appears to be associated with bending mode of the pore walls, being a result of a lower resistance to crack initiation. Acoustic emissions recorded during compressive tests indicated continuous damage of the pore walls before complete failure of the specimen, which could be also confirmed by complementary in-situ compressive tests in a scanning electronic microscope.