This International Standard describes a method for the evaluation of the pore size distribution and the specific surface in pores of solids by mercury porosimetry according to the method of Ritter and Drake [1], [2]. It is a comparative test, usually destructive due to mercury contamination, in which the volume of mercury penetrating a pore or void is determined as a function of an applied hydrostatic pressure, which can be related to a pore diameter.
Practical considerations presently limit the maximum applied absolute pressure to about 400 MPa
(60 000 psia) corresponding to a minimum equivalent pore diameter of approximately 0,003 µm. The maximum diameter will be limited for samples having a significant depth due to the difference in hydrostatic head of mercury from the top to the bottom of the sample. For the most purposes, this limit can be regarded as 400 µm. The measurements cover interparticle and intraparticle porosity. In general, it cannot
distinguish between these porosities where they co-exist.
The method is suitable for the study of most non-wettable, by mercury, porous materials. Samples that amalgamate with mercury, such as certain metals, e.g. gold, aluminium, reduced copper, reduced nickel and silver, can be unsuitable for this technique or can require a preliminary passivation. Under the applied
pressure, some materials are deformed, compacted or destroyed, whereby open pores can be collapsed and closed pores opened. In some cases, it is possible to apply sample compressibility corrections and useful comparative data can still be obtained. For these reasons, the mercury porosimetry technique is considered to be comparative.