Composite model of the dependence of mechanical properties of anodic aluminum oxide on porosity

Abstract

Results of the application of a theory concerning elasticity of composite materials to calculate the elastic modulus of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) are presented. The basis of the proposed AAO elasticity model is the assumption that the space of the anodic aluminum oxide may be represented as a composite material in the form of a matrix—bulk amorphous oxide filling the space between the pores reinforced by a hollow fiber with zero wall thickness. The maximum error of this simplification in the range of the actually used porosity values is 5% for the Young’s modulus and 0.7% for the shear modulus. The results are in proper agreement with the experimental data of other authors. Proper agreement of the results holds out a hope that this approach may be applied when the AAO pores are filled with some material (adsorbent, liquid, etc.), as is possible, for example, in cases of AAO application as a material for cantilever sensors.